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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : July 15, 2021 10:26 AM IST
Image credits by: Flu shot gives children protection against influenza or flu virus
Influenza is also known as flu, and this mainly impacts the respiratory tract. The intensity of the flu or influenza is much more than a common cold. Doctors all over, highly recommend parents get their children vaccinated each year against influenza. One needs to get this vaccine each year because influenza changes and modifies itself every year. It can be called the seasonal flu, but it can cause a lot of harm if one is not protected against it. After studying and anticipating how the flu will transform itself, each year doctors/researchers take out a new vaccine around the month of August or September, so that people do not catch the flu or influenza. Getting the flu shot means protecting ourselves and the people around us. It is important for children below 12 years to get vaccinated, however, there are some pros and cons to it. Here, Dr Lini Balakrishnan, Consultant Paediatrician, Motherhood Hospitals, Sarjapur, Bangalore, tells us all about flu/influenza vaccine.
The flu vaccine is safe. The doctors and researchers put a lot of study into developing a new vaccine every season. A few groups of people you might want to avoid the vaccine are:
It gives children protection against influenza or flu virus. This is the main and obvious benefit of getting a flu shot. If your child gets influenza or flu vaccine, he or she will be protected against the flu.
Getting flu shot reduces the impact of the virus. If by chance, your child contracts the influenza virus and he or she is vaccinated against it, the vaccine may help to lessen the impact of the virus. It may even help reduce the risk of any other kind of complications due to the virus.
It may help achieve a herd immunity. If sufficient or enough people get vaccinated against the flu, then the people who might not be able to afford the vaccine and children under 6 months can be protected against influenza without being vaccinated. It is an indirect kind of protection provided through the community.
Administering flu vaccine to children can help reduce pressure on hospitals. Taking the example right in front of us, where people are suffering and dying from COVID-19, getting vaccinated against influenza can help reduce the pressure on the hospitals and medical system amidst a crisis.
Allergic reaction: There is a chance that children might get severe allergic reactions to the contents of the vaccine for influenza/ flu shot. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include- wheezing, difficulty in breath, rashes, swelling or redness around the mouth and eyes, dizziness, or weakness.
May trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome: This is an extremely rare condition in kids, the nervous system starts attacking the peripheral nerves. It is not very common; however, influenza or flu shot may trigger this condition. One must always consult with their general practitioner before getting the shot.
May even get the flu: Even after getting the vaccine, one might end up getting influenza or flu.
May get a sore arm: Due to the flu or influenza shot, some children may experience extreme pain in the arm for which they got the vaccine. It can be excruciating pain where they might even be able to move their arm and even a small move might hurt them. But there is nothing to worry about, it will resolve itself.
Note: It is important for children to get vaccinated against flu. But before getting the influenza vaccine, one should always consult with their doctors or pediatricians to double-check for any allergic reactions.
Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is only for informational purposes. It is not at all professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare specialist for any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.