Back to school means fall is around the corner which unfortunately welcomes the start of the flu season. Outbreaks of the seasonal flu usually begin in fall and run through early spring. In a typical year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of the population falls victim to the miserable chills, aches, and fever associated with the flu virus.
Who should get a flu shot? Well, pretty much everyone. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children 6 months and older receive an annual flu shot in the fall.
Because a person’s immunity decreases by as much as 50 percent, 6 to 12 months after vaccination, it’s important for kids and their parents to be immunized annually.
The recommendations, published in the October print issue of the Journal Pediatrics, also advise vaccination for all women who are pregnant, considering pregnancy, or breast-feeding during the flu season.
For most children with a history of a mild egg allergy, the flu vaccine is safe, but parents should consult an allergist before flu vaccine is given to children with a history of severe egg allergy, the AAP said in its news release.
The recommendations also include the following:
- Children 6 months through 8 years old should get two doses of the seasonal flu vaccine four weeks apart if they got none last year.
- Kids up to 8 years old need only one dose if they got at least one dose last year.
- Children 9 years and up need just one dose of flu vaccine.
- Until 6 months of age, infants are too young to be immunized.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about children and the flu vaccination.
For those people out there that don’t really know what a flu shot is made of, it is a weakened or inactive version of the very disease you’re trying to not get! In other words, they are putting the virus in our bodies so that we won’t contract the sickness!! :O >:( Does that sound nice? I don’t think so!
I know its supposed to make your immune system more active but really! Injecting the virus in us on purpose?!
You may think that, Yes they do ingect the virus, but it is so weak that there is no chance of you getting sick. In the long run this is very helpful and lie changing. Do you want your kids to be sick and feel bad? NO! So think what you want, but since getting this shot and there not being a cance of getting sick keeps me and my kids healthy and strong I will get the shot.
Sure. Everthing is good because a payed ‘scientist’ says it’s good.
Exactly! We put so much trust into these people… And what’s to keep the “weakened” virus from getting stronger again? It is very likely to happen you know! After a while, it can become immune to the serum….
All vaccines are made that way & it helps are immune system to know the disease that the vaccine is for, so that when we come in contact with the disease or virus Our immune system has already built up an Immunity against it & helps to keep us Healthy. Look back in history & see how Vaccines have helped things like Smallpocs or Polio become extinct! Awesome Is’nt it?
Why would they put the virus in if it keeps the virus out!? Are they doing it on purpose? What if the shot made the person sick?
It won’t don’t worry
My daughter showed me an article about that in our local newspaper. I’m quite confused about the subject as well.
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Tami
i would like to get the flu MIST!!
I wish it were more available! Contact your local health department to find out where you can get it.
I remember when I got my flu shots. When I was nine I was screaming so loud I broke a window. LOL
My 8 year old is awesome with his shots. He watches the needle go in, gives a little wince and then says “It’s done?” But my baby is a different story he is a screamer with shots!
It is so important for kids to get the flu shot. Less of the flu means less kids spreading it.
Some people do get a little fever or mild sniffles from the shot,
Flu shots ar so bad they l
Not a big supporter of flu shots. I am ok with other vaccinations as they have a decent track record(in most cases)but the flu shot is new every year. They are formulated to protect you against what is thought to be the flu virus circulating that year. But you might still get the flu if you come in contact with a strain not covered. Wash your hands regularly, stay away from places sick people frequent (drs office, pharmacies, cold meds aisle) unless you have to. Worst case wear a medical mask. And wash your hands!