As a mom, you always want what is best for your child. You would do anything to keep them safe and healthy. One way to do this is by making sure they get a flu shot each year to protect them from the seasonal flu. The flu can be a very serious illness, especially for young children. Getting the flu shot will help protect your child from getting sick and will also help prevent them from spreading the flu to other people.
Why are flu shots important for children?
Flu season is an annual reminder of why it is so important to keep our children healthy and able to resist or fight off any contagious illnesses like the flu. While we can often just suffer through a cold, young children can easily become seriously ill from the flu, having more risks involved than adults. Getting your child vaccinated with a flu shot gives them the best chance for avoiding a sometimes potentially serious illness and its complications. With multiple strains of Influenza out there, it’s essential to know that receiving the flu vaccine offers protection against these sicknesses and helps to strengthen a child’s immune system as well. Vaccinating your child with the flu shot will give their immune system a boost during this season of easily spreadable respiratory illnesses.
Millions of Children Get the Flu Every Year
Every year, numerous children come down with the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that over 3 million children under the age of 17 were afflicted with the virus in 2019 alone. Furthermore, research has shown that this total may be an underestimation as rates of flu-related hospitalizations among children are high compared to those of other age groups. To reduce these infection rates, parents, educators, and policymakers all have a role to play in educating kids on proper hygiene habits and making sure they receive recommended vaccinations.
Symptoms of the Flu and How It Affects Children
The flu is a contagious illness that can take a heavy toll on children’s physical and mental health. Signs of the flu include fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, and in some cases vomiting or diarrhea. It can lead to other infections and make existing conditions worse. Severe cases may require hospitalization and result in complications including serious respiratory issues as well as neurological problems. Complications from the flu can leave children bedridden for days or sometimes weeks which may have an adverse impact on school attendance and other regular activities. Given the potential severity of symptoms associated with the flu, it is important to get children vaccinated against it every year.
Where do I get the flu shot for my child?
If you’re looking to get a flu shot for this season, many local pharmacies provide the service, as well as some free provider clinics. The price of the shot will vary depending on where you choose to go but generally costs anywhere from $0-$50. Pharmacies typically recommend checking with your insurance provider ahead of time in order to determine any related copayments or deductibles that may apply. And if you don’t have health insurance, there’s no need to worry – many clinics offer a version of the flu shot that is completely free for uninsured people. Getting your annual flu shot can help keep yourself and those around you healthy and is definitely worth the minimal cost and effort required.
How to prepare your child for getting the flu shot
Getting a flu shot is an important step in keeping your child healthy during the cold and flu season. To help make getting their annual shot as stress-free and painless as possible, here are some tips. First, be sure to explain the facts to your child: that the flu shot doesn’t hurt much and that it won’t give them the flu. Reassure your child that you’ll stay with them every step of the way, no matter how scared or nervous they may be. Bring along a comforting item like their favorite toy or a special snack that they can have afterward as an added reward.
Preventing the Flu from Spreading
Vaccination is a critical factor in helping prevent the flu from spreading and making people sick. Vaccines help create immunity by exposing an individual to the virus responsible for causing a particular illness, teaching their body to recognize the virus and mount a response that prevents infection. When parents ensure that their children are vaccinated against the flu, they are playing an important role in keeping their entire community healthy – not just their family. This is because vaccination limits how quickly a virus like influenza can spread from one person to another. As a result, more and more people in the same social circles are protected from exposure, resulting in increased safety for everyone when it comes to this often deadly disease. In conclusion, protecting children from the flu virus is essential for their health and well-being. Vaccinating children against the flu can be a quick and easy process to reduce risks of getting infect. Furthermore, it is an important investment in their future health. Over 3 million children are infected every year from influenza-related illnesses. No one wants their child to lose valuable time in school due to flu so encouraging them to get vaccinated is the way to go. Therefore, arm your family with knowledge about why it’s important for children to get vaccinated against the flu and make sure your kids are prepared by educating them on the symptoms of influenza before heading out to get their vaccine.