When parents ask if their children need the flu shot, the answer is almost always “yes.” Influenza, or the flu, is dangerous for children. In fact, the flu is far more dangerous for children than the common cold. Each year, many children get sick with seasonal influenza; some of those illnesses result in death.
Dangers of the flu
- Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially those younger than 5, because their immune systems are weaker than those of adults.
- Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2.
- Children with chronic health problems, such as asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system, are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
- Each year an average of 20,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
- Flu seasons vary in severity; however, some children die from flu each year. During the 2019-2020 influenza season, more than 188 children in the United States died from influenza.
Flu symptoms and facts
Why wait?
Influenza causes fever, cough, fatigue, body aches and runny nose. Flu season usually peaks from December to February, but influenza activity can start to rise as early as October and last until May.
The flu is highly contagious and affects the lungs, throat and nose. It is especially contagious among children, because they often share germs with other children and aren’t as active about germ prevention. Respiratory droplets of the flu virus spread through the air.
How to prevent the flu
The single best way to protect the ones you love most from the flu is to get the flu vaccine for children. The flu vaccine age limit is children aged 6 months and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is no flu vaccine for babies under 6 months.
The ideal time to get the vaccine is as soon as it becomes available. Children should be vaccinated every flu season. It’s highly recommended that children, especially young children, get vaccinated every year.
Vaccination is also important for pregnant women as it can give newborns immunity.
Types of flu vaccinations
Depending on the age of the child, there may be a choice between a flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine:
Flu shot: Flu shots can be given to children six months and older. Side effects might include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low-grade fever or muscle aches.
Nasal spray: The nasal spray flu vaccine can be given to children two years and older. Side effects might include runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches or fever.
If you’re worried the vaccine will give your child the flu, rest assured that flu vaccines contain only inactivated flu viruses, which means they’re unable to cause infection. Studies comparing flu shot recipients to people who received salt-water (placebo) shots showed that the only differences in the two groups are that the flu shot recipients experienced redness at the injection site and arm soreness. They weren’t more likely to experience body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat.
Types of flu vaccinations
Depending on the age of the child, there may be a choice for a flu shot or nasal spray.
Flu shot for child: Flu shots can be given to children 6 months and older. The flu shot is redeveloped every year to include the flu viruses most likely to be dominant for the coming flu season. Side effects might include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low-grade fever or muscle aches.
Flu nasal spray for child: The flu nasal spray can be given to children 2 years and older. Unlike the flu shot, the nasal spray vaccine does contain live flu virus, which means that it’s not suitable for children with respiratory issues, such as asthma. Side effects might include runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches or fever.
If your child has any allergies, talk with their pediatrician beforehand to determine the best vaccine option for your child. Children must be vaccinated at their doctor’s office to ensure they can be monitored for any kind of allergic reaction.
If you’re worried the vaccine will give your child the flu, rest assured that flu vaccines contain only inactivated influenza viruses, which means they’re unable to cause infection. Studies comparing flu shot recipients to people who received salt-water (placebo) shots showed that the only differences in the two groups are that the flu shot recipients experienced redness at the injection site and arm soreness. They weren’t more likely to experience body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat.
Flu vaccine price varies, but it is usually reasonably priced and is sometimes even free or fully covered by insurance. Check your insurance plan for full coverage information. Free flu shots are often offered by community clinics, health centers and other health resources.
Influenza vaccine dosage chart
There is a standard dosage recommendation for the flu vaccine for children. While adults receive a high dose of the vaccine to protect against the flu all season long, children receive a smaller, age-appropriate dose to protect them throughout the entire flu season. According to the CDC, the following dosages are recommended for children 6 – 35 months of age, the correct dosage is:
- 25 mL for Afluria Quadrivalent
- 5 mL for Fluarix Quadrivalent
- 25 mL or 0.5 mL for Fluzone Quadrivalent
- 5 mL for FluLaval Quadrivalent
For children 3 years of age and older, the correct dosage is 0.5 mL for most inactivated influenza vaccine products.
Influenza vaccine schedule
It’s also important to consider how many doses of flu vaccine a child needs:
Two doses: If your child hasn’t had the flu vaccine before and is younger than 9, they should receive two doses given at least four weeks apart. Begin the process as early as possible to give the best protection. Your child is more likely to get the flu if they child is exposed to the flu before the second dose or isn’t able to get the second dose.
One dose: If your child is older than 9 or has had the flu vaccine before, one dose is enough.
Timing is still important. It takes up to two weeks after vaccination for a child to be fully protected from the flu. The earlier your child gets the vaccine each season, the better.
Consult your child’s doctor if you have questions about flu protection or wonder which type of flu vaccine would be best for your child. Also check with your child’s doctor if:
- Your child isn’t feeling well.
- Your child recently had other vaccines.
- Your child has any medical conditions.
- Your child is allergic to eggs.
- Your child had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine.
For more information, visit the CDC’s flu website.
Other flu prevention tips
The flu is highly contagious for all age groups and will spread more rapidly in any age group that does not follow proper hygiene etiquette.
Though the flu vaccine is the first and strongest form of flu prevention, there are some additional things we can do to prevent the spread of the flu virus. It’s important to teach children good flu prevention tips to help reduce the spread of the virus.
Wash hands: This should be frequent, including after coming home from anywhere in public, and should be done with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
Disinfect commonly touched objects: The flu virus can live on objects – pens, door knobs, phones and keyboards— especially if they’ve been contaminated by someone who actively is infected with the flu.
Stay home if you’re sick: Nobody wants to get sick. Keep your germs to yourself and protect your loved ones and others by staying away from other people while you’re sick.
Cover your cough and sneeze: Don’t let your air droplets travel aimlessly through the air. Try to contain your cough by covering your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow any time you have to cough or sneeze.
Last Updated: October 3, 2022