As we transition to fall, medical providers are urging families to get their children immunized against the flu, a highly contagious respiratory illness, in hopes to reverse last year’s rise in flu cases and deaths.
“We’re already seeing positive Influenza A tests, which means this is about to take off in our community,” says pediatrician Dr. Pilar Bradshaw.
This season’s trivalent flu vaccine is designed to target the three dominating influenza strains from last winter—which proved to be the deadliest flu season for children in the past five years.
“The flu last year killed more kids than it has since 2019 and unfortunately, we saw vaccination rates for the flu and other illnesses drop after COVID,” Dr. Bradshaw says.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fewer people received the flu vaccine during last year’s flu season and pediatric deaths rose. AAP says 193 children died during the last flu season—the highest death toll among kids and adolescents since the 2019-2020 flu season saw 199 deaths.
When children should be vaccinated
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu shots for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October so you can be protected before flu season arrives in full force.
Most children should receive a single dose, but children from 6 months to 8 years of age who are getting the vaccine for the first time will also need a booster to receive peak protection. The two shots should be given at least four weeks apart. Other children who received a single dose before July 1, 2024, or whose vaccination status is unknown, should also receive a booster.
Aside from COVID-19, influenza is the deadliest vaccine-preventable disease in the U.S. and it can be quite serious for children, especially those under 5 years old or who are otherwise high risk.
“If your child has any high-risk conditions—which includes heart problems, lung problems like asthma or if they just get really sick when they get sick—those are kids that should have a flu shot,” Dr. Bradshaw says.
The flu spreads easily and is highly contagious. It can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing or talking. It can also live on surfaces for up to 48 hours.
Safety and flu vaccine myths
Some parents may worry about the safety of vaccines and be influenced by prevalent myths about the flu vaccine. For example, the flu shot itself will not transmit the illness.
“Remember that the myth ‘I got the flu from the flu shot’ is actually not true,” Dr. Bradshaw says. “The flu shot is not going to give you influenza. What it’s going to do is prep your body for the possibility of when influenza hits, you will be safer.”
While it is true the vaccine won’t prevent the flu in all people as the virus continues to mutate throughout the season, it will offer increased protection from being hospitalized or dying from the flu. Serious side effects are also very rare.
“Almost no vaccine is perfect and that’s true for the flu shot as well,” Dr. Bradshaw says. “It’s not designed to perfectly prevent you from getting influenza—it’s designed to protect you from severe influenza, so the flu shot is our best sort of seatbelt against having a really bad experience with the flu.”
It’s also safe for mothers who are breastfeeding or pregnant to be vaccinated.
If you have questions about this year’s flu vaccine, be sure to talk with your doctor.