There is a lot of talk about children’s and babies’ immunity and how it is easier for them to get sick exactly because their immune system is more fragile as it is still developing1. Mothers and fathers are also very concerned about this fragility, and many of them end up taking various measures to prevent these diseases and also to boost their children’s immunity. And one of the most effective measures is the flu vaccine in children. But this is still a topic of debate, as this vaccine is not mandatory, even though it is recommended by doctors. So after all, is it worth giving children the flu vaccine?

Understanding the Flu

The flu is a disease caused by the influenza virus (H1N3) and is highly contagious2. It is one of the most common diseases, not only in humans but in mammals in general. Its main symptoms are:

  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Muscle aches
  • Chills

The disease was a real torment for humanity not too long ago when deaths from it were common. Nowadays, there are many treatment methods and the flu is considered a not very dangerous disease, although it should be well treated so it does not turn into something like pneumonia, for example. We can divide the flu virus into 3 subtypes. The influenza A virus is highly mutable and, for this reason, can infect the same person several times. There are also influenza B and C viruses, which are less common and have their own specifics. All three types affect humans.

Difference Between Flu and Cold

It is very common for people to confuse the flu and a cold since they are two illnesses with similar symptoms. The main difference with the flu is the presence of fever and intense body aches that people usually feel. A cold is usually accompanied by headaches and nasal congestion, but does not leave a person completely unwell like the flu virus does. In any case, if you have questions about which illness your child or you are experiencing, it is important to see a doctor so there is no doubt. The viruses that cause colds are many—there are more than 200 types—and the most well-known and common among them are rhinovirus, parainfluenza, and the respiratory syncytial virus. There is no vaccine for them, but since it is a milder illness than the flu, the recovery of the infected person is considerably faster.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?

We are very used to seeing campaigns for elderly people to get the flu vaccine, but the flu vaccine for children from 6 months to 5 years old should also be given. It is important to highlight that although it is not a mandatory vaccine, the flu vaccine can bring many benefits and has excellent efficacy in children3. In addition, in Brazil, there are annual campaigns that vaccinate children of these ages free of charge. That is, there are few reasons for a mother not to give this vaccine, although the decision is up to the parents.

Reasons to Get the Vaccine

We can list some of the main advantages of the flu vaccine in children:

  • Reduces 32% to 45% the number of hospitalizations due to pneumonia.
  • Reduces between 39% to 75% the number of deaths due to the influenza virus.
  • The flu is highly contagious and the vaccine makes the disease spread with more difficulty.
  • Children have a weaker immune system and therefore getting vaccinated means more protection.

Reactions to the Flu Vaccine in Children

There is a strong myth that the vaccine causes flu in children, and there are also beliefs that a pregnant woman can lose her baby if she gets the vaccine or that it contains carcinogenic substances. It is important to remember that the vaccine is made with the dead virus, which means there is no danger of this happening. As for side effects that the flu vaccine may cause in children, all are very well controlled and there are no major risks. Some of the side effects include:

  • Redness at the injection site
  • Mild arm pain
  • Low fever
  • Malaise

With this data, we can see that the safety of the vaccine is proven. Additionally, it is worth noting that these vaccine reactions happen because of some of its components and are not consequences of the dead virus. If you still have doubts, talk to your doctor so that no myth prevents you from protecting your family’s health. Whether or not to vaccinate your child against the flu will always be your decision. Many parents end up being afraid or prefer not to vaccinate their children for various reasons. Although it is not a mandatory vaccine, there are many benefits that this vaccine can bring, and for this reason, the recommendation is that parents give it. On the other hand, not getting the vaccine will not necessarily harm the child, but the chances that the disease will appear in a more severe form are higher. Even so, as we mentioned earlier, this is a decision that is up to the parents and depends on some factors that should be evaluated by them. See Also: Learn the Symptoms of H1N1 and Protect Yourself! Photo: James Gathany