Flu Vaccine

Why should my child get a flu vaccine?

• • Reduces the risk of flu illness and hospitalization among children.

  • Shown to be life-saving for children.

  • Can make illness less severe among people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu.

  • Reduces the risk of illness, which can keep your child from missing school or childcare and you from having to miss work.

  • Reduces the high risk of developing serious flu complication especially if your child is younger than 5 years, or of any age with certain chronic conditions.

  • Helps prevent spreading flu to family and friends, including babies younger than 6 months who are too young to get a flu vaccine.

When should my child get a flu vaccine?

Doctors recommend that your child get a flu vaccine every year in the fall, starting when he or she is 6 months old. Some children 6 months through 8 years of age may need 2 doses for best protection.

• • CDC recommends a flu vaccine by the end of October, before flu begins spreading in your community. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.

  • Children 6 months through 8 years getting a flu vaccine for the first time, and those who have only previously gotten one dose of flu vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine. The first dose should be given as soon as vaccine becomes available.

  • If your child previously got two doses of flu vaccine (at any time), he only needs one dose of flu vaccine this season.