Kiddie Wellness: Flu Vaccine For Infants to Eighteen-Year-Olds

September 25, 2008

Most tots don't like getting shots and many parents can't bear to watch, but it seems the process will continue as federal officials are now recommending that all children between six months and eighteen years of age get the flu shot. This will protect an additional 30 million minors. A CNN article said:

The age group was expanded this year because children are two to three times more likely to contract the disease than are adults, said Dr. Renée Jenkins, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The report noted that about 36,000 Americans die each year from flu complications. Pregnant women are also advised to get the vaccine.

Do your children get an annual flu shot?

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30 Comments

jmast 4 years 5 weeks

I know this is an old post...but a 17 year old recently died from the flu. He didn't get the flu shot. I'm sure his parents wish he received it now.

lou2jam 4 years 33 weeks

http://www.youtube.com/user/cdcflu Watch this and then you will see the importance of the flu vaccine for your children.

LiLRuck44 4 years 34 weeks

Have you ever read any of the conflicting studies and opinions, milosmommy?

LiLRuck44 4 years 34 weeks

Have you ever read any of the conflicting studies and opinions, milosmommy?

milosmommy 4 years 34 weeks

Oh and Dr.G I would love to know where you received your facts on the Alzheimers link because it's not accurate. This is information from the Alzheimers Association site:**Myth 6: Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s diseaseReality: A theory linking flu shots to a greatly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease has been proposed by a U.S. doctor whose license was suspended by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. Several mainstream studies link flu shots and other vaccinations to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and overall better health. A Nov. 27, 2001, Canadian Medical Journal report suggests older adults who were vaccinated against diphtheria or tetanus, polio, and influenza seemed to have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than those not receiving these vaccinations. The full text of this report is posted on the journal’s Web site. A report in the Nov. 3, 2004, JAMA found that annual flu shots for older adults were associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes. The abstract of that report is posted on PubMed.

milosmommy 4 years 34 weeks

Oh and Dr.G I would love to know where you received your facts on the Alzheimers link because it's not accurate. This is information from the Alzheimers Association site: **Myth 6: Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease Reality: A theory linking flu shots to a greatly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease has been proposed by a U.S. doctor whose license was suspended by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. Several mainstream studies link flu shots and other vaccinations to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and overall better health. A Nov. 27, 2001, Canadian Medical Journal report suggests older adults who were vaccinated against diphtheria or tetanus, polio, and influenza seemed to have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than those not receiving these vaccinations. The full text of this report is posted on the journal’s Web site. A report in the Nov. 3, 2004, JAMA found that annual flu shots for older adults were associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes. The abstract of that report is posted on PubMed.

milosmommy 4 years 34 weeks

I will be getting one, so will my husband and son. My husband and I both work in healthcare so we see it as necessary. My son has a pretty healthy immune system, but I would still like to take the precaution.

MissSushi 4 years 34 weeks

I am one of the people who NEVER gets sick. I havnt been sick in like 5-6 years, and I have no limits on my exposure with other people. Even working in a call center with over 500 employees, in the 3 year time frame, I only got one minor cold. The people around me got sick constantly. That being said, the few times I gotit, the flu shot never fails to make me feel like complete crap! My daugther seems to be following in my footsteps as far as not getting sick, so I wont be getting it for her either. I dont think its neccesary

SuzieQ3417 4 years 34 weeks

I don't have children (yet) but I would definitely get them a flu shot. However, you're not necessarily giving them the shot to prevent them from getting a serious influenza infection (perhaps in contrast to other vaccines such as DTaP)...what you're really trying to do when vaccinating a population is to prevent the spread of the virus to those who are most susceptible. Thus vaccinating your healthy child against flu might protect an elderly person who might get hospitalized and die from the same infection, or a small child who can't receive vaccinations because of other health issues.Plus according to a family med doc I worked with (I'm a medical student), the more times you expose yourself to the flu virus (whether vaccine or otherwise) the less likely you are to be seriously affected in the event of a deadly epidemic. One need only look to the 1918 flu epidemic to realize that one of the age-groups most affected were 20-40 year olds - those who are supposedly at the peak of their health. The hypothesis for this strange pattern was that these people had not been exposed to the virus as much as those who were a bit older, and thus did not have the same level of immuno-protection. Anyway...now I'm just rambling. :) Do whatever you want, but I will definitely be getting my shot this year.

SuzieQ3417 4 years 34 weeks

I don't have children (yet) but I would definitely get them a flu shot. However, you're not necessarily giving them the shot to prevent them from getting a serious influenza infection (perhaps in contrast to other vaccines such as DTaP)...what you're really trying to do when vaccinating a population is to prevent the spread of the virus to those who are most susceptible. Thus vaccinating your healthy child against flu might protect an elderly person who might get hospitalized and die from the same infection, or a small child who can't receive vaccinations because of other health issues. Plus according to a family med doc I worked with (I'm a medical student), the more times you expose yourself to the flu virus (whether vaccine or otherwise) the less likely you are to be seriously affected in the event of a deadly epidemic. One need only look to the 1918 flu epidemic to realize that one of the age-groups most affected were 20-40 year olds - those who are supposedly at the peak of their health. The hypothesis for this strange pattern was that these people had not been exposed to the virus as much as those who were a bit older, and thus did not have the same level of immuno-protection. Anyway...now I'm just rambling. :) Do whatever you want, but I will definitely be getting my shot this year.

School247 4 years 34 weeks

Im a part time nurse and nanny. It all depends on the child. And for those of you who say its linked to other things, PLEASE do your research. Look at the flu shot and other shots from all eyes, not just the ones that say its bad for them. Our labeling of dieases on children is growing because our knowledge of them is growing and becuase the one who diagnosing may only have a window of time to see your child and what they see may not be the truth. I used to work with kids who have autism and shots are not the cuase of autism.

macgirl 4 years 34 weeks

At this point I just don't believe they are necessary and will be passing for my kids and myself. I could change my mind if presented with different facts or issues in the future.

shoogerbooger 4 years 34 weeks

Nope.

shoogerbooger 4 years 34 weeks

Nope.

maddielove 4 years 34 weeks

My daughter got hers when she was 8 mo old, but she got sick a few times anyway. I didn't get one last year and I got sick so bad a few months ago... I probably get one soon

hithatsmybike 4 years 34 weeks

I've never gotten one and I don't think I'd be in huge favor of subjecting my children to one.I believe they're largely unnecessary and shouldn't be marketed to the public the way they are.The only people I know that gave their kids flu shots did it because they were both hospital physicians and were exposed to countless sick people on a daily basis -- they couldn't afford to get sick themselves every week, and didn't want to bring home EVERYTHING to their children.But for the normal, non-healthcare worker, there's no reason to get a flu shot or vaccinate your children, unless they have a weak immune system or another serious issue to warrant it.

hithatsmybike 4 years 34 weeks

I've never gotten one and I don't think I'd be in huge favor of subjecting my children to one. I believe they're largely unnecessary and shouldn't be marketed to the public the way they are. The only people I know that gave their kids flu shots did it because they were both hospital physicians and were exposed to countless sick people on a daily basis -- they couldn't afford to get sick themselves every week, and didn't want to bring home EVERYTHING to their children. But for the normal, non-healthcare worker, there's no reason to get a flu shot or vaccinate your children, unless they have a weak immune system or another serious issue to warrant it.

TwistandShout 4 years 34 weeks

I've never gotten a flu shot before, and I don't think I will unless my immunities lower or I go into a profession where I have to... I haven't though about what I'd do with my future children, though.

Dr G 4 years 34 weeks

No Way. It is poison and has been linked to alzheimer's and other neurological and developmental diseases.

asdaffodil 4 years 34 weeks

My son will be getting his flu shot. His father is a teacher and surely brings home all sorts of germs. Prevention is best! My ped already told me at my son's last appt that they were recommending it for children 6 months and up. My son is 8 months and he will be getting the shot in 2 doses - half in October and the other half at his 9 month appt in November.

Baluk 4 years 34 weeks

I'm with you, blue! Everyone in my household got one last year. It doesn't stop your children from getting the flu and each year they change the strain on which strains of the flu the medical profession think will be the strongest and severest. It doesn't stop all strains and it's only good for 6 months just long enough for the flu season. My daughter had it last year and she still had a series of colds, a stomach virus and a lung infection. Imagine if she caught another flu on top of that!

schnappycat 4 years 34 weeks

Hell yeah! My son will be getting one at his next appointment. The flu can and has killed infants and I'm not taking the chance, particularly with my husband working in health care. I will also be getting one.

bluepuppybites 4 years 34 weeks

Just a little note, sometimes the virus can be very strong and knock down a healthy immune system. The vaccine will help to fight these strains, and if your child does get the flu it will lessen the severity of it. The reason they want children 6 years to 18 years getting the vaccine is because there is a rise in hospitalizations and deaths among this group.

LiLRuck44 4 years 34 weeks

Oh my gosh no, never, no way, no how. I believe flu shots are ridiculous. You need a strong, healthy immune system, there aren't any short cuts to get one.

LiLRuck44 4 years 34 weeks

Oh my gosh no, never, no way, no how. I believe flu shots are ridiculous. You need a strong, healthy immune system, there aren't any short cuts to get one.

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