Parents, Take Note: Make sure your kids receive a flu shot this fall, according to the leading paediatric medical society in the country, in order to stop and slow the spread of the sickness.
This week, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged parents and other adults to have their children vaccinated against the flu as soon as it becomes available in the fall. The organisation advises parents to make sure their children have all necessary vaccinations.
Dr. Kristina A. Bryant, a physician and a mom, stated in a statement regarding the academy’s recommendations, “I believe the flu vaccine as vital for all family members.” “We should not undervalue the flu, particularly in light of the presence of other respiratory viruses like COVID-19 in our community. Flu in children can be serious and even fatal, in addition to making your child miserable and disrupting your family’s routine.
According to the CDC, coverage levels were 8.1% lower for Black children than for non-Hispanic White children as of early April, and just 55% of children aged 6 months to 17 years had received an influenza vaccination, down 2% from the previous April. According to the CDC, 188 children in the United States passed away from the flu during the 2019–2020 season, matching the record number of deaths set during the 2017–2018 season.
According to American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, children should receive an annual flu vaccination starting at age 6 months. The choice of whether to give a child an injection, which contains an inactive form of the flu virus, or a nasal spray, which contains a weaker version of the virus, depends on their age and general health. (The academy provides further details regarding the various vaccines here.)
For the first time, children aged 6 to 8 months should receive two doses of the flu vaccination, spaced at least 4 weeks apart. The flu vaccine is available to expectant mothers at any point in their pregnancy. According to the academy, influenza vaccines are safe for developing foetuses.
The committee recognised the need to remove obstacles to immunizations for all people, regardless of income or insurance coverage, and emphasised the need of flu vaccines for high-risk and medically vulnerable children. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 14.4% more children living in poverty in 2020 than there were in 2019, at 16.1%.
