Last week we all got flu shots. Yes, we did. This is an annual family event when the little one together with her mommy and daddy gets vaccinated against Influenza. I also recommend it to all my friends, family and patients for a simple reason. It works to keep you safe.
A very dear friend’s nine-month-old visited the ICU after an Influenza complication. The timely medical intervention helped in getting the little one better. A preventable disease that kills thousands every year needs awareness at all levels. It’s not the common flu but a deadly virus called Influenza which is especially fatal for the susceptible. Those with weakened immunity, heart or lung problems are at high risk, but it can affect anyone anytime.
What you have to remember is that Influenza is preventable.
Six Truths about Influenza vaccine
Here are six things you need to know about the flu vaccine and how it helps you with prevention.
#1 Flu vaccine is easily available and is the best way to prevent Flu
While hand-washing, cough hygiene, and personal safety measures are important, it’s difficult to implement in children. The play schoolers are especially susceptible. The Influenza virus is a deadly virus and makes children very sick. Every year thousands of children below five years are hospitalized with Flu related complications. Worldwide, influenza causes five million severe illnesses and half a million deaths each year.[i] This can be reduced.
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But influenza can be prevented and the vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family.
#2 It protects your children year around and prevents spreading
When you vaccinate your children and get vaccinated, you prevent transmission even if infected. This helps in improving the community exposure to the flu vaccine and gives something called a herd immunity[ii] [iii]. In schools this is important.
Flu is contagious and prevention is the best course.
#3 It’s beneficial for children with lower immunity
Your baby has a higher risk of complications, children with the immunity-related disease, with lung or heart diseases or any chronic disease.[iv]
#4 The influenza vaccine may cause mild fever.
The flu shot will not give your child Flu. Since the vaccine has an inactivated virus, it cannot cause Flu. An inactivated virus preserves its antigenicity (ability to cause an immune response), but doesn’t have its disease-causing ability. The vaccine may have some side effects, like fever and pain at the injection site. But this is usually mild. [v]
#5 The Flu shot prevents your child from missing school that often
Getting the Flu shot helps keep your child safe and healthy. It also helps the child avoid missing important learning time at school.
#6 The Flu shot is effective, even if not 100%
When you have good reasons to get protection and a safe and effective vaccine, should you delay?
Now the above was me speaking as a doctor. But, being a parent myself, I know you will still have questions like:
My Answer: The common cold and the Flu virus are two different diseases and the Flu shot doesn’t protect against the common cold.
My Answer: Anyone aged six months and older can go for yearly Flu shot vaccination, with few exceptions.
Can flu lead to other medical complications?
My Answer: Pulmonary complications of influenza are commonest. Pneumonia can occur due to the Influenza virus or secondary bacterial infection.
Can a child get Flu even after vaccination?
My Answer: Yes because the vaccine is not 100 percent effective. But the mortality and complications are much less.
Every year the Flu Vaccine has different strains, depending on the predictions made about the circulating strain. This means the percentage of protection varies. But it’s still the best way to protect against Flu. Flu is not only dangerous, but a very smart virus which keeps changing its genetic composition making it a tough enemy.
But your doctor can help your child gain protection, with a timely flu shot and lets you know whether its the common cold or flu
References
[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4327778/
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22414740
[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4083064/
[iv] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/whoshouldvax.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fflu%2Fprotect%2Fwhoshouldvax.htm
[v] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22895945
Also, read
Swine Flu (H1N1): Symptoms,Prevention & Treatment
Ultimate Nutrition tips to fight Flu and improve immunity
Everyday Practices to Prevent Swine Flu
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We also follow our kid’s pediatrician’s advice and get them flue shot every year
Yes, my hubby(he is the coauthor of this website) is a Pediatrician. Our vaccine schedules follow his recommendations.
I had no knowledge about influenza. Informative post indeed!!
Thank you
Thanking for such an insightful post. Flu shot indeed should be discussed in detail. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading.
This was so insightful and helpful, flu shots undoubtedly is a subject that we all should be knowing in detail, thank you for sharing.
Thanks Charu
Flu shots, are indeed the biggest boon for parents and kids. Very insightful post.
Thanks Dipika
Flu vaccination is a boon to the people especially children. you’ve covered the ways to avoid flu very aptly. it’s an informative post for everyone. it’s a good initiative on your side to spread awareness on the subject.
Thanks Richa
Few years ago we read a case of influenza in a work file and I got introduced to it. And once I became a mom, I ensured we keep ourselves protected from it. It’s very helpful post Doc.
Thanks Gunjan
You have raised an important topic and I think all the parents should think in same way and be aware of these fact to safe their child from influenza.
Thank you.
Such a useful article Amrita. My child has low immunity and gets affected even after vaccinations but I have seen that vaccinations have helped him with better attendance record .
Thank you.
Vaccines have saved so many lives! There are many parents who have a lot of doubts regarding the benefits of vaccines! This is one amazing post!
Thank you.
People have so many fears when it comes to vaccination! This is a really informative post! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you.
Your post got me informed! Honestly didn’t think much of flu! So wasn’t aware how it could be contagious & serious. Gotta get timely shots from now on
Thank you.
Thanks to your post, I remembered to check on my kids (both) vaccination schedules. Thanks for sharing such useful and timely information.
Thank you.
I feel influenza shot is a must for every child and yes even my son got a little feverish after the flu shot spreading this valuable info
Thank you.
This is invaluable information. Not many are aware of the Flu vaccine and still very few actually take it. Your post provides detailed answers to common questions one has about flu and flu shots.
Thank you.
Never know that influenza shot helps to prevent the severity of flu and safe for kids. That’s very aptful read
Thank you.
Flu shots can reduce the risk of frequent flus and give immunity against atleast few of them. Informative post.
Thank you.
This is a piece of information that is necessary for all. Kids should get vaccinated well before time to prevent illness.
Thank you.
Amrita, this is such an informative post. Your post always make me think on my health perspective and for family too. Thanks for reminding me of my yearly flu shots.
Thank you.
Such a informative article on kids health, I remember how my predictions stress on influenza shot
Thank you.
Your posts like this are informative and reassuring. As I mother I am guilty of not having kept a tab abt such vaccines but also find myself lucky that i have blogger friends like you who guide us.
Thank you.
This is great that we have such vaccination available to keep our family safe and secure!! Thanks a lot for sharing so information!!
Thank you.
Flu vaccine is a must have in families. with climate change and all, especially kids tend to fall sick, this would prevent any trouble.
Thank you.
Flu shots are a good option to reduce the risk of Flu throughout the year. Very Informative post.
Thank you.
what can be the best way to prevent influenza with one vaccination.thank you for sharing it
Thank you.
This is indeed very important and thanks for sharing the information. My doubts have been cleared out on why vaccines are necessary.
Thank you.
I had no knowledge at all about this flu vaccination. Great post and really informative.
Glad it was useful for you.Thank you
This is yet another informative post as many of us are not aware of important things about flu vaccine..Thanks for sharing
Glad it was useful for you.Thank you
This was a very insightful and informative post. Gained a lot of knowledge. Thanks for sharing this on your blog ????????
Kim Paradise – MumFLIX
Glad it was useful for you.Thank you
Glad you found this helpful
Been hearing a lot about the flu shot. With the monsoon setting in , I guess this is a must for all. Thank you for sharing.
The main reason I shared my experience was because of what happened with my friend’s daughter. We were very scared as the tiny one was not yet one!Taking it as a family was something I wanted after that.
The flu vaccine is now a must for all families. Thoroughly informative post.
Thanks Noor.Glad you found this helpful.
This is quite informative post Amrita as we always get worried about kids health and this post coming on right time surely going to help a lot
Glad you found this helpful
I too learned about these shots few months back. It’s great to know these vaccines can prevent us from many severities. It’s ideal for the whole family to take these shots !
Yes I thought so too.Thanks Manjusha
Precautions are definitely better than cure. Influenza is spreading rapidly and more people need to know about vaccinations and how they can timely take them to stay safe.
Glad you found this helpful
I am going to need all these posts of you once I become the father. All the medicines related posts are so informative, they help parents in raising their children.
Glad you found this helpful
We do give my son influenza vaccines every year since his birth .. This post is on the very right time ..
Glad you found this helpful
I saw posters in our doctor’s clinic last week. I am going to ask him for more information before making any decision.
Yes thats a must.
Influenza is the most difficult to protect kids from.. we also take flu shots every year, though even vaccine is not 100% guarantee.
Thats very good that you are aware.
Thanks for sharing .. there were alot of facts which I was not aware about… saving your blog .. thanks
Glad you found this helpful
Recently we attended a seminar and they have told us that how it is really important to take flu shot Every Year for the whole family because anytime you can get influenza virus attacked on you
Glad you found this helpful
That is an insightful post! I have young cousins who get sick very easily… Will share this with my aunt!
Thanks Mrinal
Indeed Flu can cause serious damage if not managed well. You have given written a robust to help all the parents out there so that they can ensure their kids good health.
Glad you found this helpful
Indeed prevention is better than cure. These seasonal changes are very harmful for kids and flu vaccines are great in keeping them safe.
Glad you found this helpful
Extremely informative post doc. Indeed flu shots are a must and thank you for repeatedly making us aware about it
Glad you found this helpful
Very helpful post for this ever changing weather which results in flu. I will follow your tips to ensure my Family’s health is good
Glad you found this helpful
This is such a timely post as it’s monsoon season. Parents must make sure that they get flu vaccine.
Glad you found this helpful
A vaccine against influenza is the best way to prevent against the flu. Informative post.
Glad you found this helpful
It is necessary for parents to get their kids vaccinated to prevent flu and build up the immunity in kids.
Glad you found this helpful
This is a great way to curb the Flu scare, vaccination is something even I as a mother refer over other medications etc.
Glad you found this helpful
I have been contemplating getting the flu vaccine for my family. Your detailed post has helped me strengthen my decision.
Yeah I’ve got my son vaccinated for flu and we do that every year. It’s always better to be on a safe side. Thanks for sharing these facts!
Glad you found this helpful
I had a detailed discussion last year with my pead when i read about Influenza flu shot as an optional vaccination. we always make sure our family is well covered with flu shots every year
Thank you.
In UAE it is mandatory to give a flu shot to kids, hence there are very less cases/
Glad you found this helpful
THis vaccine is must to prevent flu and stay safe , prevention is better than cure against
Glad you found this helpful
I really like it how you have honestly answered the most frequently asked questions about flu shot. This has cleared many doubts!
Glad you found this helpful
Thank you for the detailed post on Flu shots. I believe also that prevention is better than cure. If we can reduce the risk then why not? Very useful post.
Glad you found this helpful
Such a informative article, I like your heading and agree with it, we need to take outmost priority of our heath
Thank you.
Like all other posts of ur, this too is very informative. This knowledge is required by every individual. Flu is a very nagging disease n all of us must be aware.
Thank you.
Flu is commonly occuring among kids and becomes severe quickly. Influenza vaccine sounds effective in reducing its incidence
Thank you.
Very useful post I read today. Bookmarked itbfor future reference.
Thank you.
This is so important today to keep kids healthy and with this rainy season we all need that !! Thank for sharing such an informative post!!
Thank you.
Though my son is high on immunity still we get his flu vaccination done every year…last year he missed his school only for one day..
Thank you.
Hey DR.AMRITA BASU,
Great post with helpful information about influenza vaccine. This post is seems to be informative and i really like the points that you have listed. Glad to know about the vaccination, as nothing is more important than health, and health should be the first priority of every person. A vaccine against an influenza is a great and helpful way to stay safe from flu.
Very helpful post and thanks for sharing such an informative post.
Thank you.
I agree every year annual flu shots are vital particularly in this season and my belief is endorsed coming from a doctor like you.
Thank you.
It’s a very informative post about Influenza vaccine. Very parents should aware about it. After reading i think i should go for it for my son.
Thank you.
I specially feel Children with Allergic Bronchitis and elderly with COPD are much more susceptible to the complications of Influence like Pneumonia and hence bets candidates.
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this topic in detail. Flu shots are much needed as the monsoon is coming. I shall check it out and will take the shots.
Thank you.
This post is quite informative. Whenever you write abt a particular vaccine you see it thru. You just answer all the questions which every parent might have. Quelling even the worries with that.
Thank you.
I have been meaning to get the flu vaccine for myself and my family members, as it comes highly recommended.
Thank you.
There are so many parents who still don’t have full knowledge about why this is important you have pointed out good list …It’s really important in this rainy season!!
Thank you.
Is good that you mentioned that cold is different from influenza because a lot of people think getting flu shots will make them immune to common cold. Very detailed and informative post ????
Thank you.
This post is very informative. We cannot predict when the child would get infected. But as preventive medicine we can go for the flu vaccine. Though not 100% it does help.
Thank you.
Well researched and informative post on vaccines.
Good that it would help but sad that it’s not 100% effective.
Thank you.
Such a timely and informative post, Amrita. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you found this useful Corinne
Very informative post as always. I always look forward to your posts which break down medical information into simple and useful tips for moms
Thank you.
I was just about to ask if getting the flu vaccine will keep me safe from cold, when I read your comment on it.
Thank you for this valuable info, Amrita! We so need it these days 🙂
Thank you.
We also get flu shots done every year here in USA. Your post is informative.
Glad you found this helpful
It’s a very informative post about Influenza vaccine. Parents must read this post to keep their kids safe and get them timely vaccine.
Thanks Deepa
Its really important parents realise why the flu vaccine is not a one time hing, very informative post Doc
Thanks Akshata.Glad you found this useful.
That’s myth buster post about influenza. Especially in India parents are not much about proper approach towards influenza and it’s vaccination. This is very informative read
Thanks Bushra
We were considering giving flu vaccine to our son only but thanks to your informative post, now we will get this for the whole family. #IPromiseToStopFlu
Thanks Neha.Glad this struck a chord.
Keeping yourself up to dated with the influenza vaccine is the best thing to do for a child. Quite an informative post AM.
Thanks Tina
even i was thinking to get vaccinated. Thanks for this informative post.
Thanks Richa
This is a necessity today when outbreak of infection of flu can take such fatal turn. Good to know about the Vaccination and I will also get it for the entire family.
Glad you found my experience helpful.
Thank you for such detailed information around flu and it’s vaccination. I recently read about flu vaccination.
Glad this was helpful Neha
The commonest misconcept is people assuming the cold and flu are one and the same. We need to keep drumming home the point of how different the two are and how deadly influenza can be if not prevented.
Yes.True that
A vaccine against influenza is a great way to keep the entire family safe from flu. Especially with the climatic change at this time of the year, an annual family vaccination is the ideal thing to do. Thank you for sharing this informative post.
It was my attempt to spread awareness.