Anderson Hills Pediatrics recommends that all children six months and older get this year’s flu vaccine.
Cases of influenza illness have remained low since the start of the pandemic. However, it is anticipated that we will have a high and earlier flu season based on experience in the Southern Hemisphere. We are already treating flu cases in our offices. Influenza trackers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have seen flu activity increasing in parts of the country.
Upcoming opportunities for flu vaccinations include:
- Saturday, October 22nd, and October 29th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at our Anderson location
- Wednesdays from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at our Anderson location
- Fridays from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at our Amelia location
- Your child can also receive a flu vaccine during their check-up appointments
Ready to schedule for one of our flu clinics? Visit the Patient Portal to get started, or call our office at 513-232-8100.
If your child has already received their influenza vaccine, please send a copy of their record to us via the patient portal. Doing so ensures their vaccination records are up to date.
Flu 101
Why does my child need to get a flu shot?
Flu shots reduce the risk of getting the flu. Some children vaccinated against the flu may still get sick but are significantly less ill. This is important because the flu can have severe complications, such as pneumonia or hospitalization.
If your child is younger than five years or has certain chronic conditions, they are at an even higher risk of severe complications from the flu.
My child got a flu shot last year. Do they really need one this year?
Flu viruses change, so the vaccine gets updated to keep up with the viruses that may be most common during the upcoming flu season. Even if your child got a flu vaccine last year, their immune protection from it decreases over time. Getting a flu shot every year is their best protection.
Isn’t the flu the same thing as a cold?
Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have runny or stuffy noses. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.
The flu, however, can cause serious health problems like pneumonia or hospitalizations. The flu can cause serious health problems like difficulty breathing or dehydration, sometimes requiring a stay in the hospital or even the intensive care unit. In rare cases, the flu can lead to death.
Can’t you get the flu from the flu shot?
No, the flu vaccine can’t give your child the flu. A flu vaccine may cause side effects that feel like the flu, but they are mild and short-lasting. These are signs that their immune system is working and building protection against the flu.
Does my child need a flu vaccine if they already got a COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, they do! A COVID-19 vaccine does NOT protect your child from the viruses that cause the flu. Many children at higher risk from COVID-19 are also at higher risk of flu. It is safe for your child to receive the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.
Flu vaccination decreases your child’s risk of getting the flu and its potentially serious complications, which can result in hospitalization and even death.