Do My Children Need A Flu Shot Every Year?

As children grow, parents often face various medical decisions, one of which is whether the flu vaccine should be part of their annual routine. With flu season approaching, many parents start considering whether their children should receive the flu vaccine, but they may wonder about the frequency of this practice: "Do my children need a flu shot every year?"

What is the flu?

The flu, also known as influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs (all part of the respiratory system). It is caused by viruses and can result in mild to severe illness, sometimes even leading to death. Certain groups, such as the elderly, young children, and those with specific medical conditions, are at higher risk of developing severe flu complications.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Children who have the flu typically experience the following symptoms:

Fever (often high)

Headache

Extreme fatigue

Dry cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Muscle aches

Children may experience gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What are the complications associated with the flu?

Complications of childhood flu can include sinus and ear infections. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, and various other complications, sometimes resulting in death.

Do my children need regular flu shots?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for the 2022-2023 flu season:

It is recommended that all children aged 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine every year. Depending on the child's age and health status, either the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) via intramuscular injection or the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) via nasal spray can be chosen.

Any age-appropriate and health-status-appropriate licensed flu vaccine can be used.

Immunocompromised children and their household contacts are key populations for protection and should be considered for annual flu vaccination.

Efforts should be intensified to eliminate vaccination barriers for all individuals at higher risk of adverse outcomes from flu.

Children can receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines concurrently.

Children aged 6 months to 8 years who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time, received only one dose before July 1, 2022, or have an uncertain vaccination status should receive two doses of the flu vaccine at least 4 weeks apart. All other children should receive one dose per season.

Pregnant women can receive the flu vaccine at any time during pregnancy to protect themselves and their unborn children. Additionally, receiving the flu vaccine while breastfeeding is safe for both the mother and her infant.

Therefore, while flu vaccination needs to be repeated annually, it is often done to ensure the health and safety of children. By getting the flu vaccine on time, not only can children be protected from the flu, but they can also contribute to the overall health of the community.

References: AAP， KidsHealth, healthwise, Canadian Paediatric Society Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee.