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FAQs About the Flu Vaccine
1. Who should receive the flu vaccine?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the flu vaccine for infants 6 months and up, parents and caretakers of infants under 6 months of age, asthmatics, diabetics, and any child with a chronic health condition, as well as the elderly population. We actually offer it to all our patients, with exceptions as noted below.
2. Who should not receive a flu vaccine?
In regards to the flu shot, contraindications include people with known egg allergy or a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
In regards to the intranasal flu vaccine, contraindications include people with known egg allergy, asthma or history of wheezing, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, immunodeficiency, hemoglobinopathy, chronic aspirin therapy or pregnant women. Also, your child must be two years of age to receive the nasal flu vaccine.
3. How many doses does my child need?
If the patient is receiving a flu vaccine for the first time and they are under 9 years of age, they must return in 4 weeks for the flu shot booster, or 6 weeks for the intranasal flu vaccine booster. If your child received the flu vaccine for the first time last year, but did not receive the booster, it is recommended that this year s/he receive a booster as mentioned above. Once these have been given, a child does not need a booster in subsequent years.
4. Can my child receive the vaccine even though s/he has a cold or stomach illness currently?
Yes, these routine illnesses are not contraindications for receiving the flu vaccine, however, your child may have some mild fever and increase in cold symtoms following the vaccine.
5. Does the flu vaccine give you the flu?
No. However, the flu vaccine, like almost all vaccines, can cause fever as an expected side effect. Other side effects include congestion, runny nose and cough which may last a few days, so you may feel as if you have contracted the flu, but influenza illness typically causes much more severe fever, body aches, headaches,
cold symptoms, nausea and can last for 7-14 days.