Many parents take their kids to get vaccinated against the flu every fall. I always tell them how glad I am \u2013 this is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family!<\/p>\n
Some parents have questions about the flu vaccine. To help me answer these, I\u2019ve reached out to my friend and colleague,\u00a0Dr. Ken Hempstead<\/a>, a Kaiser Permanente Regional Vaccine Communication Lead. \u201cGreat parents ask great questions,\u201d he said. I agree!<\/p>\n We\u2019re happy to answer any of your questions. Here are the most common concerns parents have about the flu vaccine with Dr. Hempstead\u2019s replies.<\/p>\n Does the flu vaccine work?<\/b> People who are vaccinated are less likely to get influenza at all. If they do get ill, vaccinated people will be less sick and less likely to get severe complications of the flu, such as pneumonia.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the difference between \u201cflu,\u201d \u201cinfluenza,\u201d and a \u201ccold\u201d?<\/b> Influenza, or \u201cflu,\u201d are terms we use to describe a serious viral illness. It usually starts very quickly, causing high fevers, body aches, cough, congestion (and especially in young kids \u2013 diarrhea and vomiting). People feel\u00a0really miserable with the flu! It typically lasts longer than a cold and is much more intense. The flu can cause you to miss an entire week of school or work.<\/p>\n Colds are milder and don\u2019t last as long \u2013 your child may have a stuffy or runny nose and a cough, but usually not body aches and a high fever, like with the flu. But influenza is not just a bad cold. It\u2019s also not the virus that causes \u201cstomach flu\u201d (just vomiting and diarrhea, usually only for a day).<\/p>\n While there\u2019s no vaccine for the common cold or stomach viruses, there is one for the flu.<\/p>\n Is the flu vaccine really necessary?<\/b> Also, it\u2019s very common for older people or those with weakened immune systems to become infected with influenza from a child. So as you protect your child, you\u2019re also protecting other people you care about as well. We\u2019re all in this together!<\/p>\n Can the vaccine give you the flu?\u00a0<\/b> As a parent, Dr. Hempstead\u2019s advice rings true for me, and I hope it\u2019s answered your flu questions as well. We both know you\u2019ll feel better this winter knowing your child is protected from influenza!<\/p>\n Find more resources for parents:<\/p>\n
\nYes. Every flu season we see different strains of the flu virus circulating and causing illness. The Centers\u00a0for Disease Control and Prevention monitors flu activity worldwide and guides the choice of vaccine so that it closely matches the current flu viruses. Unfortunately, the viruses sometimes change quickly during the flu\u00a0season so the vaccine may not always be a perfect match. But the flu vaccine does provide a level of protection that you wouldn\u2019t have otherwise.<\/p>\n
\nBoth the flu and the cold are respiratory illnesses caused by viruses.<\/p>\n
\nYes! As a parent, you protect your children every day. For example, you place your child in a car seat every time they ride in a car. We hope to never\u00a0needthe protection of a car seat, right? But since we can\u2019t predict if an accident will occur, we use car seats to protect our kids. The flu shot is similar \u2013 it\u2019s another way of proactively protecting your child and your family.<\/p>\n
\nNo, a flu vaccine can\u2019t give you flu.Most people don\u2019t notice any side effects at all after they get a flu vaccine. If they do, these are almost always mild and temporary, such as a sore arm or achiness. Sometimes, people get a\u00a0low-grade fever, headache, and muscle aches. This means the body\u2019s immune system is responding positively to the vaccine\u00a0\u2013\u00a0which prepares it to fight off the real influenza virus! But remember, there\u2019s nothing in the flu vaccine that can cause long-term illness.<\/p>\n