We are in the middle of that preinfluenza period we call “flu vaccine season.” We have increased our supply of vaccine for all ages. There is still time for your children to receive their vaccines so that their immunity will peak during influenza season.

Again this year, Partners in Pediatrics will offer two types of vaccine: the traditional injectable one as well as the newer Flumist which is given as a nasal spray.

Common symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills and muscle aches. This is not to be confused with the “stomach flu” where the main symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea, and is caused by germs other than the influenza virus.

Most children are sick with influenza for a few days, but some children get much sicker and may need to be hospitalized. Influenza is responsible for over 39,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. The influenza vaccine offers good protection against disease. Since the influenza viruses change from year to year, it is necessary to get revaccinated each year to maintain protection.

Although some people who received the vaccine will still get the “flu,” it is usually a milder case than those who didn’t get the vaccine.

In general, those children older than six months of age who are at greater risk of getting a serious case of influenza or suffering from its complications should get the vaccine.

Vaccination is recommended for:

• Children with long-term health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, metabolic diseases like diabetes, or blood disorders like chronic anemia.
  
• Children with underlying lung disorders like asthma, reactive airway disease or respiratory problems secondary to prematurity.
  
• Any child on long-term aspirin treatment such as children with arthritis.
  
• Any child who lives in a group home.
  
• Any child with a weakened immune system due to drug treatment or an underlying immune disorder.
  
• All children six months through five years of age.
  
• All children who are household contacts of either anyone 65 years or older or of one of the high-risk categories listed above.

Most people need only one vaccination to prevent sickness. Children under nine years of age getting the vaccine for the first time will need two shots, one month apart.

The nasal vaccine, Flumist, is available to children five years and older who aren’t in contact with someone in protective isolation. This vaccine is covered by most insurance plans. Children five to nine years of age getting the Flumist for the first time will need two doses, six weeks apart.

If your child is in close contact with someone needing protection from infection (people whose germ-fighting ability is low such as a bone-marrow transplant patient or someone undergoing cancer chemotherapy), your child should not receive the nasal vaccine. If you’ve ever had a serious reaction to eggs or a previous influenza vaccine, talk with your provider before receiving the vaccine.

Serious reactions from the vaccine are extremely rare. The viruses in the vaccine have been killed so that you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. Mild reactions include soreness, redness and swelling where the shot was given; fever and body aches. These usually last one to two days. Reactions from the nasal influenza vaccine are also generally mild such as low-grade fever, headache and body aches.

If you have additional questions, please talk to your provider.