Why You Should Give Your Children Flu Vaccines

As the leaves begin to fall, and the winds grow colder, every parent starts thinking about the cold weather to come, and the illnesses that appear along with it, every year. Hand washing and sanitizing cannot stop everything, and as long as your children are in school, they are in danger of picking up any one of dozens of viruses and bacteria. If they are immunized properly, especially with the current flu vaccines, you might be able to look forward to a fall and winter without hospital visits.

There has been controversy for sometime now concerning whether any one vaccination can be linked to other syndromes developing, primarily autism. A recent study by the CDC revealed that, as yet, no definitive link can be found, not even in those administered to the mother during pregnancy. That said, why continue to risk the health of your children based on unproven rumor and innuendo? Every child under five should receive a yearly flu shot, if for any reason because they are the most vulnerable when it comes to the flu, especially H1N1.

The Nightmare of H1N1

It was only last year that the nation, and the world, saw the common flu virus mutate into the deadly H1N1, to nearly pandemic proportions. The vaccines developed were as effective as they could be, but yet thousands went without because of fear. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to outbreaks like that, and should be vaccinated to protect not only their lives, but those around them. If they are protected, so are those that come into direct contact with them, including their loving parents.

According to the standards set forth by the CDC, all children over the age of six months should receive flu vaccinations, as soon as the current version becomes available. All children between the ages of six months and eight years old should receive two doses of the 2010-11 flu vaccine, given four weeks apart, unless they had gotten at least one dose of last year’s flu shot. The flu is one of the few seasonal illnesses that is easily preventable, and to protect our children, vaccinations are necessary, no doubt about it.

Common sense is the best protection of all

Even with the availability of flu vaccines, it is always a good idea to practice some common sense rules of virus and bacteria protection. There are prevention methods that you can teach your children, and practice yourself, that will reduce the risk of infection by the flu, the common cold, and so many other communicable childhood diseases.

Always wash your hands with soap and water, as often as possible. An alcohol-based sanitizer is an acceptable alternate if soap and water are not available. Be sure to sneeze and cough into your elbow, or cover up with a tissue. Throw the tissue away, do not just leave it around. Always avoid directly touching your eyes, nose and mouth, but if you do, wash immediately afterwards. Avoid contact with those you know are sick, and if you do get sick, limit your contact with others as much as possible, especially your children.

Even still, flu happens…

Even if you take all the precautions, even the vaccinations, coming down with the flu is always a possibility. That said, to stay on top of the coming season, we will remind you of the common flu symptoms, and if they show up in yourself or your children, see your doctor immediately.

• Fever
• Coughing and sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headaches and body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue

Anyone definitively diagnosed with the flu should stay at home until they are better, and be sure to follow any orders the doctor gives you. Do not wait until you are sick to get flu vaccines, get them ahead of time, as soon as they are released. This year’s version is reported to protect you and your children from all three prior flu viruses, including H1N1.