Oct. 29--With the flu season here, health officials are emphasizing the need to have children vaccinated against the influenza virus.
In years past, the Center for Disease Control has recommended people in high-risk categories receive vaccinations. Children ages 6-23 months and elderly people with chronic medical conditions were the primary targets for vaccinations.
However, the CDC is recommending all children ages 6 months to 19 years receive flu vaccines.
"There's an emphasis placed on children this year," Caldwell County Health Director Denise Michaud said. "They tend to be more vulnerable (to the flu) because they are in close proximity to other individuals at school and community events."
Getting vaccinated as soon as possible also reduces the risk of children catching the flu, especially those receiving a dose of vaccine for the first time. Children younger than 9 years old getting that first vaccine will need to get two doses at least four weeks apart, preferably before December.
While symptoms of flu in children are similar to those in adults, children often experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea more.
Children at greatest risk of being harmed by the flu include those who live in long-term care facilities or have the following medical conditions: heart disease, lung disease including asthma, kidney disease, metabolic disease including diabetes, anemia or other blood disorders, weakened immune systems, or conditions causing them to use long-term aspirin therapy.
The flu can lead to problems like pneumonia, inflammation of the heart and lungs in children, and those healthy youngsters under the age of 5 are more likely than adults to be hospitalized for complications resulting from the flu.
Research shows the vaccine protects 45-90 percent of healthy children from getting the flu, and studies indicate middle ear infections are reduced by 30 percent in young children who get the vaccine.
Like adults, children still can get the flu even if they are vaccinated if they develop a strain different than those the dosages are developed to protect against. The vaccine may reduce the severity of symptoms, though. And the flu vaccine does not cause flu in children. If they get sick after receiving the vaccine, they probably had some sort of virus before being vaccinated.
Children getting the flu vaccine may experience some side effects, though 80 percent have no reaction at all. Most children who do have a reaction have only a mild case.
Reactions may include soreness or redness where the shot is given or fever, chills or a sick feeling for a day or two. Aspirin-free pain reliever can be used to reduce fever or soreness.
Those children with an allergy to eggs, used in developing the vaccine, could have a more serious reaction.
Parents wanting more information about flu vaccinations for their children are advised to speak with their pediatrician or physician, or a local health care provider.
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