Children, take your flu shot

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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all patients over the age of 6 months be vaccinated against influenza for the 2018-19 season, as soon as it is available, preferably by the end of the month of April. 39; October.

The policy statement, published in the October issue of Pediatrics, states that the inactivated influenza vaccine, given by injection, is the best. Children allergic to eggs, even serious allergic, can take the vaccine safely.

The live attenuated vaccine, which is sprayed into the nose, has been ineffective in previous years and the academy recommends not to use it except in cases where the child refuses the vaccine. The live vaccine can not be administered to children under 2 years of age.

Children 9 years and older only need one dose. These 6 months to 8 years may require two injections, at least four weeks apart.

It is particularly important to vaccinate children with medical conditions that increase the risk of complications related to the flu, including asthma, diabetes and sickle cell disease.

Pregnant women can take the vaccine at any time during pregnancy and those who have not received it during pregnancy should take it as soon as possible after. Vaccination is safe during breastfeeding for the mother and the child.

The flu can be fatal: 180 children died of the flu during the 2017-18 season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and about 80% of these children have not been vaccinated.

"When we look at children with the flu who have died," said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, the president of the a.a.The Infectious Disease Committee of the .P. "Half of them do not have underlying health problems. This is not a simple cold. This is an important cause of hospitalization and death. "