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Should you get your kids a flu shot?
In recent years, with the shortages of flu shots, that questions has not been something many parents have even had a chance to think about, as they couldn't get a flu shot even if they wanted one.
Even this year, a full supply of flu shots to go around for everyone that wants one is in doubt and we may another flu shot shortage if the 18 to 26 million doses of flu vaccine made by Chiron isn't approved by the FDA.
Assuming that you can get a flu shot for your kids, should you?
Even parents who keep their kids current on all of the other recommended vaccines sometimes bypass a yearly flu shot.
If your kids are in a priority group and are at high risk for complications from the flu, then the answer should be a clear 'yes' to getting a flu shot. These priority groups that include kids are:
- all children aged 6 to 23 months
- children over 2 years old with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, etc.
- children who are taking long term aspirin therapy
- residents of long-term care facilities
- household contacts of children less than 6 months of age, since these babies are too young to get a flu shot themselves
If your child is healthy and over two years old, but has close contact with someone in a high risk group, then he should likely get a flu shot too. High risk groups include people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and adults and children with chronic medical problems.
Even if your infant or toddler is totally healthy, keep in mind that a number of studies have shown that children less than 2 years old are more likely than older children to have serious complications if they get the flu and end up in the hospital. According to the CDC, these complications of the flu can include:
- pneumonia
- dehydration
- worsening of long-term medical problems like heart disease or asthma
- encephalopathy
- bacterial infections, including sinus and ear infections
Unfortunately, these serious complications of the flu can sometimes even lead to death in children.
In fact, during the 2003-2004 flu season, there were 152 flu related deaths among children in the United States, most of which were in children less than 5 years old. And according to the CDC, 'of the 135 children who died that could have been vaccinated, only 5 were "adequately" vaccinated against influenza.'
But remember that as long as there are enough flu shots to go around, even if your kids aren't in a priority group, you can get them a flu shot simply to reduce their chances of getting the flu and it may be a good idea if:
- they are generally healthy, but do seem to catch things easily
- they have already missed a lot of school or really can't afford to get behind by missing a week or two of school by being out with the flu
- you can't afford to miss work if your kids get the flu
Flu Symptoms
If your reason for not getting a flu shot is because you think that you get 'the flu' each year and it just isn't that bad, then you probably aren't really getting the flu. Many people get simple colds or other 'flu-like' illnesses several times a year, which cause much milder symptoms, and think that they have the flu.
Flu symptoms are usually more severe though, can last for 1 to 2 weeks, and can include the sudden onset:
- a high fever, often up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit
- headache
- extreme tiredness
- dry cough
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- muscle aches
- nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, although these 'stomach symptoms' are more common in children than in adults
Fortunately, newer flu medications, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, can help to decrease the severity of flu symptoms, but a flu shot can help avoid the flu in the first place.
Downsides to Flu Shots
There are actually few downsides to getting a flu shot. If you or your kids don't like shots, you might even be able to get FluMist instead, and avoid a needle all together.
Also consider that you can't get the flu from a flu shot, side effects are usually mild, and flu shots are relatively inexpensive and sometimes free.
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