Flu shots and other vaccines prevent children from illness, spreading illness, hospitalization, future disability, and, in some cases, death. Immunization is that important, a key reason why so many infectious diseases have been eliminated or reduced.
Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD and her team in Fountain Valley, California, take your child’s immunization just as seriously as you should. As vaccine specialists, we deliver the recommended vaccine schedule for your kids as well as maintaining their immunization records. Here’s what you need to know about the flu shot and other seasonal vaccinations.
The experts agree that, this winter, there are three important vaccines to help assure your child’s best health as well as reducing the risk of a sick young one passing on illness to vulnerable adults. Let’s take a look at each of these.
Today, we refer to the fall and winter months as the respiratory illness season, though traditionally it’s referred to as the cold and flu season. Flu was typically the most dangerous of the seasonal illnesses, but today, that dynamic has shifted.
Because of the mutating nature of the viruses that cause influenza, everyone over the age of 6 months should receive the annual flu vaccination, targeted for the most likely strains of flu virus to emerge in any given year.
The flu vaccine is safe and reliable, and it will prevent the infection entirely or reduce its severity if your child becomes infected. Elderly relatives may also benefit by reduced exposure to the virus when your children are protected.
While the dangers of COVID-19 are much less than they were in 2020, it’s still a significant and dangerous respiratory infection for some segments of the population. COVID-19 vaccines are, like flu vaccines, safe for anyone 6 months of age or older. It’s also OK to receive the COVID-19 vaccine along with a flu shot.
RSV is a special case, in that there’s no vaccine for most children. However, newborns are more at risk of severe symptoms from RSV, so there are two ways they can be protected.
Pregnant women who are between 32 and 36 weeks can receive an RSV vaccine that passes on immunity to their baby. Newborns and some at-risk children up to 19 months may receive a different version of the RSV vaccine to protect them against severe forms of the infection. Otherwise, RSV vaccines are recommended for older adults.
Contact Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD for more information. Call or click to book your child’s appointment today.
