Does my child need a flu vaccine?

By Nora Johnson, MSN, RN, CPN, Director of Quality & Safety

Yes! The flu season is here. It's important to remember that protecting our children from the flu is not just about keeping them healthy, it's also about keeping our communities healthy. By getting a flu vaccine, not only are children less likely to get sick, but they also reduce the spread of the flu to those who are more vulnerable, such as the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Does my child need a flu vaccine?

1. Are they over 6 months of age?

   1. Yes (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all individuals 6 months and older, including children with chronic medical conditions, get a flu vaccine each year.)
   2. No (Your child does not need at this time, but would love for YOU to protect them by getting YOUR flu vaccine)

2. Do they have asthma or diabetes?

   1. Yes (Children with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of serious complications from the flu, so it is especially important for them to be vaccinated)
   2. No (Flu illness is more dangerous than the common cold for ALL children, so even if they don’t have any health conditions, they still need it)

3. Did they receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

   1. Yes (The flu and COVID-19 are different diseases, so they need both vaccines to be protected from each disease)
   2. No (Give us a call today to schedule their COVID-19 and flu vaccine.

4. Do they ever go out in public?

   1. Yes (It is flu season, and the virus is all around us)
   2. No (If your child never leaves your home, they are still at risk from anyone who enters your home.

Children younger than 5 and children with asthma or certain chronic health conditions may be at higher risk of developing serious complications.

Among flu-related pediatric deaths, around 80% were in children not fully vaccinated against flu. This is why it is so important for children 6 months and older to get vaccinated each year.

To schedule a flu vaccine, or to find out more, call LBU at (213) 540-0300 to make an appointment. We look forward to helping you.

Sources: https://www.lung.org/blog/flu-vaccine-faqs-children and https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/parents.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4LmIhZnP_AIViBJMCh1XTgRzEAAYASAAEgIanPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds