The influenza virus, commonly called the flu, is considered a serious viral infection. It spreads easily from person to person through saliva droplets expelled into the air with a cough or sneeze, explains Drugs.com. The flu vaccine, or flu shot, is recommended for all children over six months of age to reduce the risk of becoming ill with the flu. The flu shot is made with an inactivated sample of the current seasonal flu strain. Side effects from the flu shot are minimal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Injection
Toddlers receiving the flu shot can develop soreness, redness or swelling where the vaccine was administered. This typically disappears in one or two days. Using the arm may exacerbate the pain as the shot is injected into muscle tissue.
Cough
A mild cough can occur soon after the shot is administered. The CDC suggests that a cough or hoarseness will last about one or two days.
Eye Irritation
Some individuals receiving the flu shot will experience eye irritation. This includes soreness, redness or itching for one or two days following the injection.
Fever
A fever with or without chills may develop a few hours or one day after the flu shot is administered. This is the body's reaction to the introduction of the flu virus. It is attempting to build antibodies to fight the virus, which is what improves the toddler's immunity to future exposure to the flu.
Other Pain
Drug.com suggests that some individuals will experience a headache, muscle pain, joint pain and fatigue. These side effects are considered mild and will resolve in one or two days following the vaccine.
