A pediatrician explains why the flu shot is extra important this year

This year’s respiratory virus season is off to a booming start, and the typical peak time is just beginning. Children’s hospitals across the country are operating at or near max capacity with many patients battling RSV. With COVID still circulating as well, it’s as important as ever to make sure your family is protected from yet another virus – influenza.

The low flu vaccination rates so far this season coupled with a rapid rise in cases have health care providers concerned about what’s ahead.

Pediatrician Dr. Tiffany Kimbrough explains the benefits of the flu shot and answers some common questions.

Who should get the flu shot and when?

Everyone 6 months and older should get the influenza vaccine – with the rare exception being for the small number of individuals who’ve had severe reactions to the flu vaccine in the past. Ideally, this should be done by the end of October to ensure protection as flu hits its peak. That said, if you haven’t gotten it yet, November isn’t too late. It takes a couple weeks for antibodies to develop, then the vaccination will continue providing protection throughout the worst months of the flu season.

Why is it as important as ever for people to get their flu vaccine this year?

While most people who get flu recover in a week or two, it CAN cause serious complications and severe illness requiring hospitalization. An average season in the U.S. has 100-180 children passing away annually from influenza.

The best way to keep from getting the flu, or at least prevent severe illness, is to get the flu shot. If your child is old enough, please make sure they get the COVID vaccine too. With so many kids already needing care and hospitalization, we want to keep as many others as possible healthy and at home.

Can my child get their flu and COVID vaccines at the same time?

It is safe to get the COVID and flu vaccines at the same time. Data from other vaccines show that the way our bodies develop protection is similar whether vaccines are given alone or with other vaccines. Side effects are similar as well.

If you have concerns about your child getting both at the same time, you can certainly space them out by a couple weeks. The most important thing is that they do get them. Your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider is a great source for information and can answer any specific questions you may have.

What side effects can be expected from the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine may come with some side effects, but they’re generally mild and only last a day or two. These may include fatigue, low-grade fever, headache and pain at the injection site. I always tell my patients and families that these are preferable to catching the flu and having severe symptoms for a week or more.

If my child does get sick, how will I know if their symptoms are due to flu, RSV, COVID or something else?

This is a tough one because the symptoms can be very similar – fever, cough, breathing difficulty, fatigue, sore throat and headache – and all are quite contagious.

The only way to know for certain is to be tested. Unless your child is exhibiting very concerning symptoms or having a hard time breathing, in which case they should go to the emergency room, I recommend reaching out to their pediatrician to find out if, when and where they recommend testing.

I can’t stress enough the importance of getting the flu and COVID vaccines for everyone who is eligible. We also need to continue with our other infection prevention measures to keep everyone healthy this fall and winter.

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