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Your child’s health care provider will know which vaccines are right for your child.
For more information on the different types of flu vaccines available, visit CDC’s Different Types of Flu Vaccines page.
When Should Children get a Flu Vaccine
Children should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu. For most people who need only one dose of flu vaccine for the season, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated. Ideally, everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated by the end of October. Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. For those children, it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available—even if this is in July or August—because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for children who need only one dose. However, getting vaccinated later can still be protective, as long as flu viruses are spreading—even into January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop antibodies against flu virus infection, it is best to get vaccinated so they are protected before flu begins spreading in their community.
Special vaccination instructions for children aged 6 months through 8 years old
- Some children 6 months to 8 years old need two doses of flu vaccine.
- Children in this age group getting vaccinated for the first time, those who have only previously received one dose of flu vaccine, and whose flu vaccination history is unknown, should get two doses of vaccine this season.
- For those children it is recommended they get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second dose needs to given at least 4 weeks after the first.
- Your child’s health care provider can tell you if your child needs two doses.
Other Preventive Actions
In addition to getting a flu vaccine, children and caregivers should take the same CDC recommends for everyone, including avoiding people who are sick, washing hands often, and covering coughs. This also can include taking steps for cleaner air and hygiene practices like cleaning frequently touched surfaces. More information is available about core and additional prevention strategies.
Symptoms and Treatment
Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea, which are more common in children than adults. People may be infected with flu and have symptoms without a fever.
More information on when to seek emergency care is available online.
Your child’s health care provider can help decide whether your child should take antiviral drugs if they become sick with flu. Antiviral drugs for children come in the form of pills, liquid, inhaled powder, or intravenous solution. They fight flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in the body. Antiviral drugs must be prescribed by a doctor — they are not available over the counter (OTC).
More information on children and flu antiviral drugs is available.
Source of original article: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / CDC Features Series (tools.cdc.gov).
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