Flu Shots for Babies – Importance And Side Effects by Dr. Srikanta J T

Flu is Contagious

Flu, like all viral diseases, is contagious. The virus traces remain suspended in the droplets present in the air when someone affected by it sneezes or coughs. Your baby can catch the flu even if an infected person is talking casually in close proximity.

The virus can live on table surfaces, railings, cribs, etc. So, if your baby touches its mouth, eyes, or nose after touching any surface with the flu virus on it, it can get infected.

Flu Can Easily Affect Babies

Flu easily infects bodies with a weak immune system. Children younger than five years, specifically those under two and above 65 years are at maximum risk. The severity of the infection also depends on the severity of the virus during that season.

Flu can lead to many complications in babies. Babies may

• Develop pneumonia
• Suffer from dehydration
• Get sinus and ear infections
• Develop brain dysfunction

If your baby is less than six months old, you should take extensive care of hygiene around the baby. The baby is too weak at that time to fight diseases on its own. The baby may need to be admitted to a hospital in case of an infection.

[Read : Pneumonia in Children]

Importance of Flu Shots For Babies

Flu shots for babies are important for one simple reason – babies’ immunity is weak, and they are more prone to getting flu than any other age group. Therefore, the complications that flu can cause can be fatal at times.

• Babies with diseases of heart, lungs, kidneys, asthma, are most likely to get flu infection. And because of the already existing illnesses in the body, it may lead to life-threatening complications.
• The flu vaccines for babies are safe and effective and therefore, the chances of serious complications get reduced considerably.
• Also, it’s important to note that flu is a contagious disease that spreads from an infected person easily. Therefore, vaccinating your baby is important to ensure others around it are also safe.
• These vaccines protect your baby’s lungs from being infected by the virus as they are in the developing stage.

[Read : Asthma in Toddlers]

Types of Flu Vaccine

The flu vaccine is different from other vaccines, the reason being it is developed afresh before the flu season every year. This process is necessary as the virus mutates constantly.

There are two types of flu vaccines, intramuscular injection, and nasal spray:

• Intramuscular Injection: The vaccine is generally given to babies on the thigh under 12 months of age.
• Nasal Spray: This is administered directly into the nostrils and is given to kids between the ages of 2-8.

[Read : Are Nasal Sprays Safe For Kids?]

Flu Shot For Babies is Completely Safe

Yes, absolutely. The vaccine is extremely safe and is thoroughly tested for safety. There are rare cases of mild side effects of the vaccine and those too go away soon.

Two Shots of Flu Shot For Babies are Essential

If the baby is not vaccinated before, two shots of the vaccine are essential for babies between 6 months to 8 years of age.

• For the vaccine to be as effective as possible, your baby needs to get two doses of the vaccine.
• The baby gets the second dose of the vaccine at least after one month of getting the first dose.
• The reason for the two doses is that the first dose gets your baby’s immune system ready and the second one actually provides protection against flu.
• It is important to note here that the doses need to be given keeping in mind the months that flu generally starts affecting babies so that both the doses are completed at the right time.
• If you choose to give only one dose to your child, then it needs to be by the end of October.
• However, doctors recommend both doses because a single dose may or may not be able to develop immunity against flu.

Flu Shots For Babies Take Two Weeks to be Fully Effective

No vaccine can work as soon as you get it. The flu vaccine takes around two weeks to be fully effective after you get the shot. During those two weeks, the body develops antibodies for the influenza virus.

If you can get your baby vaccinated before the infection is widespread in the community, it really helps. The vaccine gets enough time to develop immunity against the virus. So, your baby is protected.

Side Effects of Flu Vaccine

With every vaccine, there are some side effects. After flu shots, the baby may:

• Have fever
• Have headache
• Retching
• Swelling and redness at the site of injection

Do Flu Shot For Babies and Toddlers Contain Mercury?

No, they do not.

Earlier, they used to contain negligible amounts of thimerosal, a compound that has mercury. It acted as a preservative against the growth of microbes in the vial. It prevented microbial growth because of the multiple needle insertions.

But now, flu vaccines for babies and toddlers use single-dose vials. So, there is no need for thimerosal.

Best Time to Give the Baby the Flu Shot

In India, the flu season is unpredictable. It can be severe and last for months. So, the best time to get the vaccine is as soon as it is available. That way, it gets enough time to develop the antibodies in the baby’s body.

Doctors recommend two doses in a year to develop full immunity. The shots are given yearly in the months of May to October since the flu virus keeps changing and therefore, the vaccines are also updated according to the latest variant of the virus.

Who Should Not Get Flu Shots?

The doctors recommend getting a flu vaccine every year, but there are certain conditions in which it is better to avoid getting flu shots for your little one. Some of these conditions include

• If your baby got an allergic reaction to the flu shot in the previous year, then getting one again will not be advised. Consult your doctor regarding this.
• Also, if you have noticed your infant is allergic to eggs, then taking this vaccine is not recommended. The flu vaccines contain eggs and therefore, the baby can react to this.
• If your baby has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a condition in which the nerves are attacked by the immune system, then the baby should not be vaccinated.
• Also, if your baby is presently unwell, then it’s better to postpone the vaccination for a few days.

The flu vaccine is not compulsory. But we recommend it because of the weak immune system of the babies. The flu shots for babies will help avoid the complications that a flu infection can cause.

Read Also: Importance of Influenza Vaccine for Children Pre-Monsoon During COVID Times