What can be done to protect children from flu complications and death?

CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. This includes all children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday. Vaccination is especially important for children younger than 5 years of age and children of any age with a long-term health condition like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. These children are at higher risk of serious flu complications if they get the flu.

CDC also recommends that people in contact with certain groups of children get a seasonal flu vaccine to protect the child (or children) in their lives from the flu:

• Close contacts of children younger than 5 years old (people who live with them) should get a flu vaccine.
• Out-of-home caregivers (nannies, daycare providers, etc.) of children younger than 5 years old should get a flu vaccine.
• People who live with or have other close contact with a child or children of any age with a chronic health problem (asthma, diabetes, etc.) should get a flu vaccine.
• In addition, CDC recommends that all health care workers be vaccinated each year to keep from spreading the flu to their patients.

Because seasonal flu viruses change every year, the vaccine is updated annually. So even if you or your children got a flu vaccine last year, you both still need to get a flu vaccine this season to remain protected. If October and November slip by, and you haven’t gotten your children or yourself vaccinated, get vaccinated in December or later.

Last Updated: 10/28/2010

• Is my child who has asthma at higher risk for flu-related complications?

• Special Patients
  • Children