The harvest has happened, it’s getting cold outside, and the signs of the holiday season are everywhere. It’s fall, which means viruses like the flu are increasingly common.
To keep your child safe this winter, it’s time to schedule their annual flu shot at Valencia Pediatrics in Victorville, California. Here, our pediatric team, including Rainilda Valencia, MD, and Deepika Saini, MD, FAAP, answers common questions about the flu vaccine and how it benefits your child.
A new flu vaccine is developed every year by experts who predict the dominant strains of influenza that will be present each winter. Anyone who receives the vaccine annually keeps their immunity against the virus strong and has a much lower risk of getting the flu than those who aren’t vaccinated.
If your child does catch the flu, they’re much more likely to have mild symptoms than an unvaccinated child. They probably won’t end up in the hospital or suffer any permanent damage.
You can expect your child to receive six months of protection from each flu vaccine, which begins about two weeks after they're vaccinated.
Almost every child can get the vaccine if they’re six months of age or older. Infants younger than six months aren’t eligible.
Before making a vaccine appointment, we review your child’s medical history and ensure it’s safe and suitable for them. It’s usually safe for your child to get the vaccine if they have a minor illness like a cold, but if they have a fever on their vaccination day, we’ll reschedule for after they recover.
The flu season lasts from October to May, with cases at their highest in January and February. Your child receives the most protection by getting the vaccine in the fall months.
Getting a flu shot in the fall gives the vaccine two weeks to fully work before cases reach peak levels, while giving your child optimal protection until the end of flu season. Receiving the shot too late means they could get sick before the vaccine takes effect, while receiving it too early means their immunity wanes before the end of the season.
If you're just learning about the vaccine later in the flu season, you can still get your child a flu shot. It’s better to vaccinate them late than not at all.
The flu vaccine doesn’t cause influenza or any other illnesses. At most, your child could experience soreness at the injection site, minor body aches, or tiredness for up to a day after being vaccinated.
These side effects aren’t dangerous for your child. On the other hand, complications from the flu itself can lead to hospitalization and even death.
A flu vaccine only takes a few minutes. Most children ages two and up can receive an injection or a nasal mist, while children six months to two years old and some children with chronic medical conditions need an injection.
If your child gets an injection, we clean the site on their upper arm. They may feel a small pinch while the shot is administered. After the shot, we place a small bandage on your child’s arm at the injection site.
The nasal spray is administered into your child’s nostrils. Our provider gently sprays the mist into your child’s nose.
If your child is under nine and getting a flu shot for the first time, they need to attend a second appointment four weeks after the first one. This appointment is identical to the first visit.
Children under age nine need two flu shots during their first flu season to build full immunity. The second dose, given at least four weeks after the first, boosts their immune response and ensures better protection.
We’re here to keep your child safe from influenza and to answer any questions or concerns you or your child has. Contact us today to schedule your child’s flu shot.
