Pediatricians Urge Flu Vaccine for Kids

Sept. 6, 2022 – Attention dad and mom: The nation’s main pediatric medical society is urging you to ensure your youngsters get a flu shot this fall to forestall and management the unfold of the sickness.

The American Academy of Pediatrics this week known as on dad and mom and caregivers to hunt flu vaccines for his or her children as quickly as they’re accessible within the fall. The group is encouraging dad and mom to compensate for all different vaccines for his or her youngsters, too.

“As a pediatrician and a parent, I consider the flu vaccine as critical for all family members,” Kristina A. Bryant, MD, stated in a press release in regards to the academy’s suggestions. “We should not underestimate the flu, especially when other respiratory viruses like COVID-19 are circulating within our communities. Besides making your child miserable and wreaking havoc on your family’s routine, influenza can also be serious and even deadly in children.”

Only 55% of kids ages 6 months to 17 years had been vaccinated in opposition to influenza as of early April – down 2% from the earlier April – and protection ranges had been 8.1% decrease for Black youngsters in contrast with non-Hispanic white youngsters, based on the CDC. In the 2019-2020 flu season, 188 youngsters within the United States died of the an infection, equaling the excessive mark for deaths set within the 2017-2018 season, the company reported.

American Academy of Pediatrics pointers suggest youngsters ages 6 months and older be vaccinated with the flu vaccine yearly. Depending on the kid’s age and well being, they might obtain both a shot, which has an inactive model of the flu virus, or the nasal spray, which has a weakened type of the virus. (The academy has extra details about the completely different vaccines right here.)

Children ages 6 to eight months previous who’re getting flu vaccines for the primary time ought to obtain two doses a minimum of 4 weeks aside. Pregnant ladies can get the flu vaccine any time of their being pregnant. Influenza vaccines are secure for creating fetuses, based on the academy.

The group pressured the significance of flu vaccines for high-risk and medically weak youngsters and acknowledged the necessity to finish obstacles to immunizations for all individuals, no matter earnings or insurance coverage protection. In 2020, an estimated 16.1% of kids within the United States had been dwelling in poverty, up from 14.4% in 2019, based on the U.S. Census Bureau.