You want to protect your child from harm, and that includes preventing him from getting sick. Vaccines effectively prevent common childhood diseases, including influenza, or the flu. As with all medicines, vaccines have the potential of causing side effects that range from mild cold symptoms to serious allergic reactions. By learning the common reactions to expect after your toddler receives a flu vaccine, you will know what you can treat at home and when to consult your physician.
The Flu
Influenza is a viral disease that spreads through coughing, sneezing and mucus. Flu symptoms include headache, muscle aches, fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat and fatigue. Children have a higher rate of infection and the disease tends to be more severe than in adults. Children younger than 5 years are at greater risk for complications of flu, such as pneumonia, and those younger than 2 years are more likely to be hospitalized than older children or adults.
Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine protects against three strains of the flu. The strains contained in the vaccine change annually to match those circulating, so your child needs to be vaccinated every year. The vaccine is recommended for all children older than 6 months and ideally should be given in September, before the start of the flu season. It takes your child’s body about two weeks from the time of the vaccination to develop protection, and protection lasts through the year. The flu vaccine cannot protect against influenza strains not contained in the vaccine, or against viruses other than influenza. Two types of flu vaccines are available. An injection is available for children 6 months and older and a nasal spray is available for children 2 years and older.
Mild Reactions
The most common reactions associated with the flu vaccine are mild or moderate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common side effects are fever, cough, muscle aches, fatigue, itchy eyes and hoarseness. Children who have the injection may have soreness and redness at the injection site, and those who had the nasal spray may have a runny nose, wheezing or headaches. Your child may begin showing these symptoms shortly after receiving the vaccine and the symptoms may last up to two days. The virus strains contained in the vaccine are killed and cannot cause the flu.
Serious Reactions
Severe, life-threatening reactions are rare. If they occur, serious reactions usually happen within minutes of receiving the vaccine. Approximately one or two people of every million who are vaccinated develop Guillain-Barre syndrome. The vaccine may cause a serious allergic reaction. Seek medical attention for your child if you see any unusual condition, such as high fever or changes in your child’s behavior, difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, fast heartbeat or dizziness. The risk of seizures is increased in young children who receive the flu vaccine at the same time as the pneumococcal vaccine. Tell your doctor if your child has ever had a seizure. Do not get your child vaccinated if he has severe allergies or any allergy to eggs, or if he has a fever or moderate or severe illness.
