Why children should get the flu vaccine

Flu is more dangerous than the common colds. The symptoms include fever that lasts more than three days, hoarse voice, body aches, nasal drips and coughing. It is more severe than colds because it lasts for more days. Usually if a child has a flu, it is not recommended to medicate but the caregiver or the mother should seek a doctor immediately if she sense something is wrong with the child specially for infants. The mother should always take precautions and seek a doctors advice if she sense that it is more than the common colds, flu or if something is wrong with the baby. The rule is never to medicate without the doctors advice. Better be safe than sorry when it comes to children’s health. There are reasons why children should get the flu vaccine.

Notes in terms of children's flu vaccine:

• Flu vaccine or seasonal flu vaccine is different with the H1N1 shots
• The doctor is the best judge if your children needs a vaccine
• Always use your judgement as the mother or caregiver in terms of sickness of children
• Better act faster than later

Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends flu vaccines for children because of complications like asthma, bronchitis, and that their immune system is weakened and need further medical condition, They could also die because of complications. The rule is always talk to a doctor first if you are availing the flu shots for your children.

According to CDC there are dangers of flu to children that is why they should get the flu vaccine

• Children before the age of 5 needs special care because of influenza
• Every year approximately 20, 000 children under the age of of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications
• They will also die of influenza complications. In the US, 86 children died last year, 2008 because of it
• Children with chronic health problems like asthma and diabetes are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
• Children from six months to 19 years old are enjoined to get flu vaccines.
• Also those who are in contact with these children, caregivers, parents, day care providers are requested to have flu vaccines too.
• Adults in the house who have diabetes or asthma or the immune system is low should get flu vaccines too, and all health care providers should get the vaccine

There are groups of children which are at risk for flu complications, these are:

• Children younger than six months old (Flu vaccine is never recommended)
• Children six months to 59 months
• Children aged 6 months and older with chronic health problems, including:asthma or other problems of the lungs; immune suppression;chronic kidney disease; heart disease; HIV/AIDS; diabetes; sickle cell anemia; or long-term aspirin therapy; any condition that can reduce lung function.

In general a child won't receive the flu vaccine for children who:

• are under six months
• has severe reaction to shots in general
• have allergies to eggs
• Has a fever