Flu shots: Do healthy children need them?

"Parents may have the final say while discussing the matter with their child's pediatrician especially with the different health setting here in Kuwait."

Question: Do healthy children need flu shots?
Answer from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.

Influenza (flu) is a common viral infection. Signs and symptoms may include muscle aches, fever, chills, fatigue and sore throat. For children, the flu can also cause diarrhea and seizures. In some cases, complications of the flu can be deadly. Yearly flu vaccines are the best way to protect children from the flu. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for all children ages 6 months to 18 years — ideally given in October or November, before the flu season begins.

The flu vaccine is available in two forms:

• A shot. Flu shots can be given to children age 6 months and older. Side effects may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever and muscle aches.

• A nasal spray. The nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) can be given to children age 2 years and older. Side effects may include runny nose, wheezing and headache.

Whether you choose the flu shot or nasal spray, keep in mind that children age 8 and younger who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time need two doses given at least four weeks apart. One dose is adequate for children age 9 and older and those who've been vaccinated before.

Consult your child's doctor if you wonder which type of flu vaccine would be best for your child. Also check with your child's doctor if your child has any medical conditions or experienced a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine.

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Hospitalization Rates Higher in Kids Who Get Flu Shots

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"Maybe lets take a second look at this."

By Natural-Life.ca | June 24th, 2009
From MSN / HealthDay:

Children who get the annual flu vaccine, especially those who have asthma, may be more likely to be hospitalized than children who don’t get the shot, a new study shows.

But the researcher noted that the surprise finding probably has more to do with the severity of the underlying illness in children receiving the vaccine than with any deficiency in the vaccine.

“This may not be a reflection of the vaccine but that these patients are the sickest, and their doctors insist they get a vaccination,” said study author Dr. Avni Y. Joshi, a fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She is to present her findings Tuesday at the American Thoracic Society’s annual meeting, in San Diego.

See full story

Source:

Related articles by Zemanta

• Hospitalization Rates Higher in Kids Who Get Flu Shots (nlm.nih.gov)