The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the flu vaccine for children who are six months or older. There are two forms of the vaccine--an injection and an inhaled version that's placed inside the nostrils. The flu shot contains the inactivated flu virus; the flu mist for inhalation contains a small dose of the live flu virus. The CDC indicates the risks associated with the flu outweigh the potential side effects of the vaccine.
Injection: Mild Problems
The inactivated flu virus vaccine may cause soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection. This discomfort should resolve within a day or two. Other mild effects of the vaccine include hoarseness, sore eyes, redness of the eyes, coughing or itchiness, reports the CDC. BabyCenter.com suggests infants and children may feel achy and tired if they have never been exposed to the flu virus before. These side effects can be recognized in infants by crying, fussiness, restlessness or grimacing during movement. Infants may also sleep more often than usual.
Nasal Spray: Mild Problems
The flu mist vaccine is recommended for children who are at least 2, indicates the CDC. Mild side effects associated with the vaccine include runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, headache or muscle aches. Some children may have a fever, abdominal pain, infrequent vomiting or diarrhea and wheezing. These side effects may only last for a day or two.
Severe Side Effects
An allergic reaction to either form of the flu vaccine is possible, but the CDC indicates that the likelihood is very small. Such symptoms include wheezing, chest tightening, pain in the chest, swelling of the mouth, swelling of the lips, swelling of the tongue or swelling of the throat. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. The reaction can occur within minutes or hours of the vaccine.
Rare Effects
In rare cases, the CDC reports that some recipients of the flu vaccine developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a serious condition affecting the nervous system that can result in partial or complete paralysis of some or all parts of the body.
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