Dr. Kristin Bencik Boudreau, a pediatrician at Bayshore Pediatrics, is offering some tips about flu vaccinations.
Here are her recommendations and some facts about the flu:
Flu season is here, and now is the time to schedule a flu shot for your children 6 months of age and older.
What is Influenza (flu)?
- Influenza (or “flu”) is a respiratory illness with high fever, cough, headaches, body aches, chills, and congestion.
- It lasts five to seven days and is very contagious.
- The flu is a very serious illness. Young infants, children with other illnesses, pregnant women and the elderly are at high risk for severe influenza. It can be fatal, even to healthy children.
- Influenza is NOT a stomach illness. Stomach illness with vomiting and diarrhea is commonly called the “stomach flu” – but this is not the same as influenza.
It’s important to get the flu vaccine every year.
- Each season’s flu strains are different from the previous seasons’ strains. Illness or immunization from last season will not offer protection for the upcoming season.
- It’s important to schedule your flu vaccine as soon as the vaccine is available in your area so that you are protected before the flu season begins.
Where and when are flu shots available?
- Now is the time to schedule an appointment for your children to receive their flu shots.
- Flu shots are available at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s 20-plus primary care clinics.
- We, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend the flu shot this year. However, the nasal flu mist is a needle-free option with limited availability in some locations for the flu vaccination.
Why is it important to have a pediatrician give your child the flu shot?
- Pediatricians know that kids aren’t little adults.
- They make the experience of getting a flu shot as smooth as possible by offering things like distraction techniques.
- Immunization at your pediatrician’s clinic is also a good opportunity to review your child’s medical records to see if his or her other immunizations are up to date.
Influenza vaccines are safe and effective.
- The vaccine has been studied extensively, is safe and is recommended for almost everyone over 6 months of age.
- The vaccine won’t give you the flu.
- The coverage will help protect you the entire season, so get the vaccine as soon as it’s available.
