Flu Vaccines
Hilliard Pediatrics, Inc. - Dr. Tim Teller, MD
Introduction
The flu vaccine helps prevent Influenza, a respiratory viral illness. Influenza infects thousands and thousands of people of all ages each year. There are different strains of influenza and these change from year to year. The classic case of influenza starts suddenly and includes fever (typically 101-102 but not unusual to be even 105- 106 degrees), achiness, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and a severe cough. Only about half of the people that get sick with influenza have the classic symptoms. Although vomiting and diarrhea illnesses are often called the “stomach flu”, the influenza virus does not cause them. The symptoms start 1-4 days after being exposed and last 2-6 days. Adults can spread the flu virus to others through coughing, sneezing, and touching objects around them for about 6 days and children for 10 days after the illness starts (even after someone feels better). The most common complication with influenza is bacterial pneumonia. Young children with influenza can also become dehydrated. Overall, 36,000 people in the U.S.A. die each year from influenza. Over 90% of those that do die are 65 years of age and above. Children with asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, and other chronic conditions are more likely to become very ill with influenza. The usual influenza season in Ohio is November through March or April.
Flu vaccines can greatly reduce the chances of getting influenza, spreading influenza, or getting very ill with influenza. The flu vaccine only lasts in our body for about 12 months, so the vaccine needs to be given every year to keep us protected.
Flu Vaccines
There are two types of flu vaccine. Which one is “better” has not yet been decided but is being studied. Both have an 8 or 9 out of 10 chance of preventing the flu and a 6 out of 10 chance of preventing someone from being hospitalized from the flu although this can vary from year to year.
Name How Given Approved for this Age For High Risk Groups
Inactivated ("Flucelvax®") Injection (shot) 6 months of age and above Yes (asthma, diabetes, others)
Live Attenuated ("Flumist®") Nose Spray 2 years and above No
The flu shot can safely be given to individuals with an egg allergy with very little increased risk. Please ask us if you have specific allergy questions about your child.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of the flu shot are soreness where the shot was given, low grade fever, and achiness. Common side effects of the nose spray are mild runny nose, headache, and sore throat.
Vaccine Schedule
The flu shot is typically available each Fall from September until we no longer have it available (depending on the supply, but usually November to January). The supply of the flu vaccine in this country is an issue each year. Many years, we and other offices will not receive as much flu vaccine as we would like. The flu nose spray is available earlier, often in the Summer, and can be given throughout the influenza season.
If your child is less than 9 years old and they have not had 2 doses of flu vaccine previously (does not have to be in the same year or consecutive years), they are recommended to receive 2 doses of flu vaccine separated by at least one month.
If your child is 9 years or older or if they have previously received at least 2 doses of flu vaccine in their lives, they will only need one flu vaccine this year.
Since 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that the flu vaccine be given every year to every child 6 months of age to 18 years of age. We agree with this recommendation. Who should not get the flu vaccine: children under 6 months of age or children with severe allergy to the flu vaccine previously.
Your child may receive the vaccine at a routine check-up or other office visit (if not too ill at the time) or at one of our walk-in flu vaccine clinics each flu vaccine season. The dates and times of these are posted on our website and in our office. You may also call during regular business hours for more information.
Last Updated: 06/2019