Why Get a Flu Shot?
INFLUENZA IS DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN
Influenza (“the flu”) is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, many children get sick with seasonal influenza; some of those illnesses result in death.
*Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
*Severe influenza complications are most common in children
*Children with chronic health problems like 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 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
FLU SEASONS VARY IN SEVERITY, HOWEVER SOME CHILDREN DIE FROM FLU EACH YEAR. LAST INFLUENZA SEASON, MORE THAN 140 FLU-RELATED PEDIATRIC DEATHS WERE REPORTED.
THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN FROM THE FLU IS TO GET THEM VACCINATED EACH YEAR.
CHILDREN SHOULD BE VACCINATED EVERY FLU SEASON
Children should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu. It is a good practice to get them vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in our community.