Each year, flu season brings with it a plethora of runny noses,
aches, fever, and chills, with all responsible for lost days at work.
Many cautious adults attempt to avoid this dreaded down time by
increasing their vitamin C and hand washing, using both to prepare their
immune system in defense against the first signs of a common cold
circulating around their offices. Although, healthy adults typically
have less to worry about when it comes to the flu; it's people much
younger and much older that have more cause for concern.
Among the populations most susceptible to colds and flu remain young children and the elderly, with immature or weakened immune systems to blame. As such, many doctors insist people in these age groups get vaccinated against the flu before catching the virus that can be devastating to their health. While there are usually no restrictions on vaccinating the elderly, many parents wonder how young is too young for a flu shot, and if their child really needs to get one every year. Such questions have become commonplace for doctors and pharmacies, with many offering informational brochures that explain the reasons behind their recommendations.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly urges parents to "get all children aged six months and over immunized in preparation for the coming flu season." This group recently pointed out that the risk of the flu to young children is much worse than in other high-risk groups such as the elderly, and as such, children should be immunized every year. In addition, the AAP also suggested that people who care for young children should also be immunized as a precautionary decision, one that will help further protect children against contracting the flu. Recent figures show an average of 20,000 children under age five are hospitalized every year because of the flu, with a small percentage of flu-related deaths reported.
Influenza immunizations are usually administered to children either through a flu shot or a nasal spray, depending on age; however, there are additional factors to consider, such as existing/typical health and/or any prior allergic reactions. As such, all children under the age of five should be immunized as soon as possible when flu season arrives. Because as any parent knows, the minimal side effects of an immunization are far more tolerable than full-blown flu symptoms when it comes to the continued health of a young child.
Among the populations most susceptible to colds and flu remain young children and the elderly, with immature or weakened immune systems to blame. As such, many doctors insist people in these age groups get vaccinated against the flu before catching the virus that can be devastating to their health. While there are usually no restrictions on vaccinating the elderly, many parents wonder how young is too young for a flu shot, and if their child really needs to get one every year. Such questions have become commonplace for doctors and pharmacies, with many offering informational brochures that explain the reasons behind their recommendations.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly urges parents to "get all children aged six months and over immunized in preparation for the coming flu season." This group recently pointed out that the risk of the flu to young children is much worse than in other high-risk groups such as the elderly, and as such, children should be immunized every year. In addition, the AAP also suggested that people who care for young children should also be immunized as a precautionary decision, one that will help further protect children against contracting the flu. Recent figures show an average of 20,000 children under age five are hospitalized every year because of the flu, with a small percentage of flu-related deaths reported.
Influenza immunizations are usually administered to children either through a flu shot or a nasal spray, depending on age; however, there are additional factors to consider, such as existing/typical health and/or any prior allergic reactions. As such, all children under the age of five should be immunized as soon as possible when flu season arrives. Because as any parent knows, the minimal side effects of an immunization are far more tolerable than full-blown flu symptoms when it comes to the continued health of a young child.
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