Annual Flu Vaccine
Important for Some Children

October and November mark the beginning of the influenza season.  A week or more of fever, runny nose, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, extreme fatigue and missed school (and work for mom or dad) is something most parents wish to avoid.   More importantly, influenza, one of the world’s most virulent diseases, causes one in 1,000 children younger than 5 years old to be hospitalized each year.

            The risk of complications particularly in the very young, the very old, and those with chronic diseases makes influenza an extremely dangerous disease according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.                                                                                                          

“The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each fall,” says Dr. Anatole Karpovs, pediatrician at the Children's Clinic of SWLA.  Because the flu virus is airborne, it is easily transmitted.  Areas where children gather, such as schools, daycare and playgrounds, are likely locations for catching the flu.                                       

     “Anyone who wants to reduce the chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated,” Karpovs says.  “However, it is very important that children age 6 months and older until their 5^th birthday get the vaccine this fall. These children, as well as older children with chronic medical conditions, are at high risk of having serious flu complications requiring hospitalization.”
          
         To further protect these children from the flu, the CDC recommends their family members and caretakers get vaccinated. “It is particularly important that people caring for infants younger than 6 months old be vaccinated, since these children cannot receive the vaccine,” says Karpovs.

           An option for the family members and caretakers of small children is the FluMist, a flu vaccine that can be sprayed in the nose, a painless alternative to injected vaccines.  FluMist is safe and effective for healthy people age
5 years to 49 years.

          October and November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later.  Karpovs suggests that parents check with their  pediatrician and ask if their child should get the flu vaccine this fall.  It is important to get the vaccination early because it takes several weeks to become effective.