Pediatricians are urging that all children aged 6 months and older be vaccinated for the upcoming flu season, according to WebMD.
The American Academy of Pediatrics updated their influenza vaccine recommendations to advise that the youngest kids should have two initial doses of vaccine to build immunity. The AAP also wants parents of children aged 2 to 8 to consider getting their kids the nasal spray vaccine instead of the flu shot if it's readily available.
The recommendations were published online Sept. 22 in the journalPediatrics, reported WebMd.
Last year, slightly more than 100 children died from flu, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these, almost half had no underlying medical conditions, according to the AAP. More than 90 percent of children treated for influenza in intensive care units weren't vaccinated for flu last year, the AAP reported.
There are two vaccines available, WebMD reports. The quadrivalent vaccine protects against four types of flu, one more than the trivalent vaccine. However, neither vaccine is preferred over the other, he added. "People should get whatever vaccine is available in their area," he said.
The youngest kids, those aged 6 months through 8 years old, may need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected, Bernstein said.
The CDC has also recommended the nasal spray vaccine for young children. While the flu shot and the nasal spray both protect against the flu, there is evidence that the nasal spray may work better in younger children than the flu shot, according to the agency, as reported by WebMD.
Kids who shouldn't get the nasal vaccine are those who have had a severe allergic reaction to it. In addition, the vaccine is not for kids who have medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart or kidney disease or who have taken antiviral medications within two days of getting a vaccination, the CDC cautioned.