The flu vaccine is a good
idea for all families. It helps keep kids and parents from getting sick from the flu.
Getting the flu is worse than having
a cold, and can make a person sick
for a week or more.
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated before the start of each
flu season, with very few exceptions. Some people are more likely to get health problems
from the flu, such as the elderly, pregnant women, infants, and people with medical
conditions like asthma
or diabetes. Getting
a flu vaccine is especially important for them and for those who live with them.
Babies younger than 6 months can't get the vaccine. But they will be protected
if their parents, other caregivers, and older kids in the household get it. This is
important because infants who get the flu are more likely to have serious problems
than older kids.
Some things might prevent a person from getting the flu vaccine. Talk to your doctor
to see if the vaccine is still recommended if your child:
In the past, people with an egg
allergy had to check with their doctor about whether the flu vaccine was OK for
them because it's grown inside eggs. But health experts now say that the amount of
egg protein in the vaccine is so tiny that it's safe even for kids with a severe egg
allergy.
Still, someone with an egg allergy should get the flu vaccine in a doctor's office,
not at a supermarket, drugstore, or other venue.
Date reviewed: September 2020
