A week ago, my little guy came down with a case of the stomach flu, which both my husband and I caught from him. I was reminded how quickly germs can travel from child-to-child, or child-to-mommy and have now moved getting my family’s flu shots to the top of my priority list. Not only do I want to protect my son from catching a nasty case of the flu this winter, but I also want to help protect my family and the other children in his daycare class too. A good friend of mine noted that Halloween is next weekend and that large groups of kiddos will be mixing together at holiday events so that makes the coming week an even more ideal time to take care of flu shots.
Most experts believe that flu epidemics are actually started by children because a lot of people overlook getting a flu shot for their little ones. Flu shots are recommended for children ages 6 months to 18 years old. An interesting fact I ran across while researching this post is that children under age 9 who are getting their first flu shot will actually need 2 doses given at least a month apart to ensure a good response to the vaccination.
For adults, getting our flu shot is easier than ever because most pharmacies now offer flu shots with no appointment needed. For my little guy, our pediatrician’s office is offering a flu shot clinic through mid-November, which ensures that he will get the right dose for his age. Your pediatrician’s office is a great resource for finding out more about flu shots for your children.
For additional info about flu shots and children, check out these articles from the Mayo Clinic and About.com. If you are a Salt Lake County resident, the County Health Department webpage offers some great local resources, including a clinic locator.
Have a great week and I hope to see you all at Discovery Gateway’s Halloween Spooktacular event next weekend!
