Illness Prevention: 10 Things Every Parent Should Know About the Seasonal Flu Shot

The best way to cope with any infectious disease is to avoid it before it begins. That’s the principle behind immunization and vaccines, and it’s an idea that regularly helps your children avoid the prospect of serious illness throughout their lives. 

Our expert pediatricians at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland, partner with the parents and guardians of our patients to keep childhood immunizations up-to-date and secure their best health. 

The seasonal flu shot is a value-added vaccine that protects not only children but also those vulnerable to the ravages of these serious upper respiratory infections. 

General benefits of the flu vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2024-2025 flu season is the first in which all flu vaccines protect against three strains of the influenza virus. One of the challenges of flu viruses is their ability to mutate, making earlier immunity ineffective against newer strains. 

The flu shot isn’t simply a personal protection for your child. Most healthy kids handle influenza as they would a common cold, getting sick for about a week and then recovering easily. 

However, elderly grandparents or neighbors are less equipped to resist the illness, as are newborns and very young children. Any segment of the population with immunocompromised disorders could also be vulnerable. 

The flu shot protects your child, your family, and your community. Here are 10 things every parent should know about the seasonal flu shot.

Important facts about the flu vaccine for children

1. Early protection is the best protection

The peak of the flu season is from September to March. Getting your shot early ensures the best protection. 

2. Some children need two shots

Children under the age of nine who are getting the flu shot for the first time need two doses about a month apart. They won’t be fully protected without both shots.

3. Everyone over the age of six months can have a flu shot

With a few exceptions, the flu shot is safe for anyone past six months old. Talk to your doctor if there’s a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome in your family or allergies to previous flu shots. 

4. Flu shots are important for high-risk kids

Children with suppressed immune systems, asthma, heart or lung issues, or other chronic illnesses need the flu shot to avoid complicating these conditions. The flu may not be a simple respiratory illness for them. 

5. Thimerosal is safe

A mercury-based vaccine preservative, thimerosal has received negative press for effects on children’s health that are simply not true. Routine childhood vaccines contain no thimerosal, but some flu vaccines do. Though these are safe, you can request a preservative-free formulation. 

6. Your child won’t catch the flu from the vaccine

There are virus components in the flu shot, but these are inactive. Your body codes the identity of flu viruses from these inactive samples. It’s possible to have a slight reaction to the injection, but it can’t develop into an influenza infection. 

7. The vaccine is safe for those with egg allergies

If your child has severe allergies to eggs, we may have them stay a little longer after their flu shot as a safety measure. The flu shot rarely causes a reaction even for those very sensitive to egg components.

8. Last year’s vaccine may not protect you

Some flu strains remain the same as last year because these are still among the most active infecting agents. However, the flu shot is constantly revised for the best protection each season. You can’t count on previous vaccinations. 

9. Nasal spray options are available

Children two years and older may be candidates for the flu vaccine delivered in nasal spray form. They’ll get the same protection without a needle. 

10. The flu shot is the best way to prevent infection

Hand washing and avoiding sick people can certainly help, but there’s no way to completely protect your child from active exposure to the flu virus in daily life. The flu shot is a proactive, around-the-clock protection method. 

Stay on top of your child’s health. Call or click to book a flu shot with Abdow Friendship Pediatrics today.