- With Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Dr. Jay Hoecker, an emeritus consultant in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, brings valuable expertise to MayoClinic.com in general and primary care pediatrics. He has a particular interest in infectious diseases of children.
Dr. Hoecker, a Fort Worth, Texas, native, is certified as a pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He was trained at Washington University's St. Louis Children's Hospital, and in infectious diseases at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1989.
"The World Wide Web is revolutionizing the availability and distribution of information, including health information about children and families," Dr. Hoecker says. "The evolution of the Web has included greater safety, privacy and accuracy over time, making the quality and access to children's health information immediate, practical and useful. I am happy to be a part of this service to patients from a trusted name in medicine, to use and foster all the good the Web has to offer children and their families."
Infant and toddler health (3)
- Flu shots for kids: Should healthy kids be vaccinated?
- Baby Einstein: Can baby DVDs promote infant development?
- Fruit juice: Is it good or bad for kids?
Newborn health (3)
- Newborn care: Should I wake my baby for feedings?
- Induced lactation: Can I breast-feed my adopted baby?
- Sagging breasts: Inevitable after breast-feeding?
Infant health (9)
- Infant formula: Is tap or bottled water better?
- Infant growth: What's normal?
- Infant swimming: Do indoor pools pose an asthma risk?
- see all in Infant health
Toddler health (6)
- Discolored baby teeth: A cause for concern?
- Temper tantrums: What's normal, what's not?
- Toddler speech development: When should a parent be concerned?
- see all in Toddler health
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Question
Flu shots for kids: Should healthy kids be vaccinated?
Do healthy children need flu shots?
Answer
from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu (influenza) vaccine for all children ages 6 months to 18 years — ideally given in September or as soon as the vaccine is available.
The seasonal flu vaccine is available in two forms:
- A shot. Flu shots can be given to children age 6 months and older. Side effects of flu shots for kids may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, and muscle aches.
- A nasal spray. The nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) can be given to children age 2 years and older. Side effects of the nasal spray vaccine for kids may include runny nose, wheezing and headache.
Whether you choose a shot or nasal spray, keep in mind that children age 8 and younger who are receiving the seasonal flu vaccine for the first time need two doses given at least four weeks apart. One dose is adequate for children age 9 and older and those who've been vaccinated before.
The seasonal flu vaccine isn't expected to offer protection from swine flu (novel H1N1 influenza). In the United States, every state is developing a vaccine delivery plan for a separate novel H1N1 vaccine. The novel H1N1 vaccine may be given on the same day as the seasonal flu vaccine — with priority given to children ages 6 months to 4 years and others at high risk of complications from the flu. If the availability of the novel H1N1 vaccine is delayed in your area, go ahead with the seasonal flu vaccine rather than wait for both vaccines to be available.
Consult your child's doctor if you have questions about flu shots for kids or wonder which type of flu vaccine would be best for your child. Also check with your child's doctor if your child has any medical conditions or experienced a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine.
Next questionBaby Einstein: Can baby DVDs promote infant development?
- Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Inactivated influenza vaccine: 2008-09. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Live, intranasal influenza vaccine: 2008-09. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flulive.pdf. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Novel H1N1 influenza vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
