Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. Flu can be more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, flu places a large burden on the health and well-being of children and their families. Annual flu vaccination offers the best protection against flu and its potentially serious complications in children. Parents can help children fight flu by getting themselves and their children vaccinated against flu each year.

Children younger than 5 years old—especially those younger than 2—and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions, like asthma and diabetes, are at higher risk of developing potentially serious flu complications. Because these groups of children are at higher risk, it is especially important that they get a seasonal flu vaccine to help prevent flu, and to reduce their risk of being hospitalized or dying from flu if they do get sick.

Keep Reading: Signs and Symptoms of Flu

While not at higher risk, healthy children 5 years and older can also get very sick from flu, in addition to spreading flu to vulnerable family members like infants younger than 6 months and adults who are 65 years and older or people of any age who have certain chronic health conditions. It's important to vaccinate everyone 6 months and older against flu each year to help protect those most at risk.

Each year, flu places a large burden on the health and well-being of children and their families. Annual flu vaccination offers the best protection against flu and its potentially serious complications in children.

Children younger than 5 years old—especially those younger than 2—and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions, like asthma and diabetes, are at higher risk of developing potentially serious flu complications. Because these groups of children are at higher risk, it is especially important that they get a seasonal flu vaccine to help prevent flu, and to reduce their risk of being hospitalized or dying from flu if they do get sick.

Healthy children 5 years and older can also get very sick from flu, in addition to spreading flu to vulnerable family members like infants younger than 6 months and adults who are 65 years and older or people of any age who have certain chronic health conditions. It's important to vaccinate everyone 6 months and older against flu each year to help protect those most at risk.

Children 6 months and older and their caregivers should get vaccinated against flu each year and there are other preventive actions that everyone can take to help stop the spread of flu.

In children, annual flu vaccination has been shown to:

• Reduce flu illnesses, doctor's visits for flu, and missed school days.
• Reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death.

Types of flu vaccines for children

CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine.

Flu shots are given as an injection (with a needle) and are approved for use in people 6 months and older.

When children should get a flu vaccine

Children should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu. For most people who need only one dose of flu vaccine for the season, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated. Ideally, everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated by the end of October.

Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. For those children, it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available—even if this is in July or August—because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for children who need only one dose. If your child is visiting a health care provider in July or August (for example, in the back-to-school context) and vaccine is available, they can be vaccinated early. Early vaccination can be considered for any person who is unable to return at a later time to be vaccinated.

However, getting vaccinated later can still be protective, as long as influenza viruses are spreading—even into January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop antibodies against influenza virus infection, it is best to get vaccinated so they are protected before flu begins spreading in their community.

Special vaccination instructions for children aged 6 months through 8 years old

Some children 6 months to 8 years old need two doses of flu vaccine this season:

• Children in this age group getting vaccinated for the first time,
• Children who have only previously received one dose of flu vaccine, and
• Children whose flu vaccination history is unknown.

For these children it is recommended they get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second dose needs to be given at least 4 weeks after the first. Your child's health care provider can tell you if your child needs two doses.

Other preventive actions

In addition to getting a flu vaccine, children and caregivers should take the same actions CDC recommends for everyone, including avoiding people who are sick, washing hands often, and covering coughs. This also can include taking steps for cleaner air and hygiene practices like cleaning frequently touched surfaces.

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