Does My Child Need a Flu Vaccine? Yes!
It’s great to have our kids back at school, isn’t it? But with each little sniffle or sneeze they bring home, you may worry –“is it COVID?” One of the best ways to worry less, keep them in school, and have them participate in extracurricular activities is to get them a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine. Both are safe and effective.
This year we’re going to see influenza (flu) circulating at the same time as COVID-19. If your child hasn’t yet had a flu vaccine, it’s time to get one! Flu shots decrease kids’ chances of:
- Getting the flu. And, if they do get it, their symptoms will be milder.
- Developing severe complications of the flu, such as pneumonia.
- Spreading influenza to other vulnerable people like grandparents. It’s common for older people or those with weakened immune systems to get the flu from a child.
- Missing school or other activities.
By taking these steps to protect your child, you’re also protecting other people you care about as well. We’re all in this together!
It can be hard to know if your child has a cold, flu, or COVID-19. Some symptoms occur in all 3 of these viral illnesses, including cough, fatigue, and sore throat. If they have a loss of smell or taste, your child is more likely to have COVID-19. Both influenza and COVID-19 can cause fever (100.4°F or higher), while the common cold rarely does. Influenza and COVID-19 can be especially hard to tell apart – both can cause body aches, diarrhea, headache, and shortness of breath.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, any child with symptoms that might be due to COVID-19 will likely need to miss school and be tested. Giving them a flu vaccine is one thing that you can do to decrease the likelihood that they’ll develop an illness that could be mistaken for COVID-19.
More flu FAQs:
Is getting the flu shot important even for healthy children?
Yes. Children 6 months and older need a flu vaccine. Even healthy kids can get seriously ill with influenza, causing them to miss a lot of school and other activities. Some need to be hospitalized and may even die. Of those who died from influenza, the large majority were unvaccinated. Both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines are especially important for children who have conditions like asthma, diabetes, obesity, or heart disease.
Is it safe to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time?
Yes. We can protect your child with any vaccine that they’re due for at the same time they get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Will this flu season be worse than usual?
Some experts are predicting the 2121 flu season may be more severe than last year. Fewer people got the flu in 2020 because of social distancing, masking, and spending less time in group settings (like schools). Now that many of us are back at school and work, it’s likely the flu will spread more freely through our communities. There are more young children who may not have been previously vaccinated or exposed to influenza, and because of this lack any natural immunity. These kids may be more susceptible to illness this year.
Should my child be tested if they have symptoms that could be COVID-19 or the flu?
Yes. Contact your pediatrician to determine what kind of testing is necessary.
The best way to keep our families safe during this uncertain season is to protect them with the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. My 3 kids have had both vaccines – please do the same for yours!
Resources For Parents
My Doctor Online
To find a flu vaccination center near you, or learn how to treat symptoms if your child becomes ill, visit our Cold, Flu, and COVID-19 site on My Doctor Online.
If you’re concerned about your child’s health this winter, there are several ways to talk with your doctor – including in-person, phone, and video appointments and by email. Video visits work very well, provide ultimate convenience, and limit exposure to illness from others.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
About the Author
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