The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual vaccination against flu for children six months to 19 years. The flu shot is not approved for infants younger than six months and children with certain kinds of allergies. Children under nine getting the shot for the first time need two doses.
High Risk Groups
While almost all children benefit from the flu shot, some groups may benefit more than others. The CDC advises that children under 5 years of age---and especially those younger than 2---are at high risk of serious flu-related complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, inflammation of the brain, and other kinds of infections. Children of any age with medical problems are also considered high risk because the flu frequently makes chronic diseases worse and, in some cases, may weaken the immune system, making it harder for the child to fight the infection in the first place.
Contraindications
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are few contraindications to the flu shot. These include a history of life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine or hypersensitivity to eggs. Children who have had adverse reactions to the antibiotics neomycin, polymyxin or gentamicin may benefit from the Fluzone brand of flu shot, which does not use antibiotics during processing. The flu shot has been linked to a neurological disease known as Guillain-Barre syndrome, so caregivers of children who have previously developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of receiving a flu shot should ask their health care provider for more information.
Parents and Caregivers
While the flu shot is for anyone who wants to reduce their risk of flu, the CDC strongly encourages parents and caregivers of high risk children and children who are not eligible for the flu shot to be vaccinated themselves. Pregnant women, in particular, should be vaccinated both as future parents of infants and because they are at high risk of flu-related complications themselves. Vaccinated mothers who breastfeed offer additional protection to their infants through the transfer of antibodies, a process known as passive immunity.
