The importance of getting the flu vaccine this season

Dr. Jennifer Nguyen Chew

Pediatrician

Dr. Chew has worked in a variety of settings including urgent care and outpatient pediatric primary care. She is an experienced medical writer.

Every year the flu shot prevents millions of infections and flu-related visits to the doctor’s office. Early vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

The annual flu vaccine is the best form of prevention for your child. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and up get the flu vaccine annually.
‍

Why your child should get the vaccine

The flu is different each year, so it is essential that your child gets vaccinated annually. For some, the flu is mild, resulting in a few days of feeling yucky, while for others it can result in more serious illness. Complications of the flu can include pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, or worsening of existing conditions like diabetes or asthma.

While some children who get the vaccination will still get the flu, vaccination reduces the severity of the illness. This ensures that children to do get sick are able to recover quickly, and return to normal activities.

Now is the time for your family to get the vaccine! The body typically takes two weeks to develop an immune response, so the earlier you and your children can get the vaccine, the better.

‍

Where to get the flu shot

Your family can get the flu vaccine at the doctor’s office, urgent care, or a local clinic or health center. Many schools also offered flu vaccine drives. Pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Duane Reade also offer the vaccine.

Visit https://www.vaccines.gov to find a flu vaccination near you!

‍

COVID-19 and the Flu Shot

While flu season is here, COVID-19 remains. Your child is at risk of both illnesses, and can even get both illnesses at the same time (research is underway to determine how common this is). Remember, the flu vaccine only protects your child from the flu, and the COVID-19 vaccine only protects your child from COVID-19, so your child should get both.

If getting the vaccines at the same time, we recommend that your child get one in each arm, as a sore arm is a common side effect. Receiving both vaccines at the same time does not influence the effectiveness of either vaccine, or cause more side effects.

‍

Flu FAQs

Can my child get the flu from the flu shot?

No. The flu vaccine is a deadened form of the virus. Minor side effects that may occur include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever, and aches. These side effects are the body responding to the vaccine! Since the vaccine takes 2 weeks to develop an immune response, it is possible that your child could get the flu during the 2 week period. Be sure to encourage your child to be extra careful (wash hands frequently, avoid close contact, etc), during this period.

‍
If my child has COVID-19, can they get the flu?

Yes, it is possible to get both illnesses at the same time.

‍

Can my child get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Yes. Your child can safely get both vaccines at the same time, and it does not matter which vaccine is administered first.

‍

Can the flu be asymptomatic?

Yes! In fact, 20% to 30% of people carrying the virus each year never show symptoms.

‍

Who should get the flu shot?

Everyone older than 6 months old.

‍

Don’t delay, get the flu shot today!

‍

Dr. Jennifer Nguyen Chew

Pediatrician

Dr. Chew has worked in a variety of settings including urgent care and outpatient pediatric primary care. She is an experienced medical writer.

Every year the flu shot prevents millions of infections and flu-related visits to the doctor’s office. Early vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

The annual flu vaccine is the best form of prevention for your child. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and up get the flu vaccine annually.
‍

Why your child should get the vaccine

The flu is different each year, so it is essential that your child gets vaccinated annually. For some, the flu is mild, resulting in a few days of feeling yucky, while for others it can result in more serious illness. Complications of the flu can include pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, or worsening of existing conditions like diabetes or asthma.

While some children who get the vaccination will still get the flu, vaccination reduces the severity of the illness. This ensures that children to do get sick are able to recover quickly, and return to normal activities.

Now is the time for your family to get the vaccine! The body typically takes two weeks to develop an immune response, so the earlier you and your children can get the vaccine, the better.

‍

Where to get the flu shot

Your family can get the flu vaccine at the doctor’s office, urgent care, or a local clinic or health center. Many schools also offered flu vaccine drives. Pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Duane Reade also offer the vaccine.

Visit https://www.vaccines.gov to find a flu vaccination near you!

‍

COVID-19 and the Flu Shot

While flu season is here, COVID-19 remains. Your child is at risk of both illnesses, and can even get both illnesses at the same time (research is underway to determine how common this is). Remember, the flu vaccine only protects your child from the flu, and the COVID-19 vaccine only protects your child from COVID-19, so your child should get both.

If getting the vaccines at the same time, we recommend that your child get one in each arm, as a sore arm is a common side effect. Receiving both vaccines at the same time does not influence the effectiveness of either vaccine, or cause more side effects.

‍

Flu FAQs

Can my child get the flu from the flu shot?

No. The flu vaccine is a deadened form of the virus. Minor side effects that may occur include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever, and aches. These side effects are the body responding to the vaccine! Since the vaccine takes 2 weeks to develop an immune response, it is possible that your child could get the flu during the 2 week period. Be sure to encourage your child to be extra careful (wash hands frequently, avoid close contact, etc), during this period.

‍
If my child has COVID-19, can they get the flu?

Yes, it is possible to get both illnesses at the same time.

‍

Can my child get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Yes. Your child can safely get both vaccines at the same time, and it does not matter which vaccine is administered first.

‍

Can the flu be asymptomatic?

Yes! In fact, 20% to 30% of people carrying the virus each year never show symptoms.

‍

Who should get the flu shot?

Everyone older than 6 months old.

‍

Don’t delay, get the flu shot today!

‍

Dr. Jennifer Nguyen Chew

Pediatrician

Dr. Chew has worked in a variety of settings including urgent care and outpatient pediatric primary care. She is an experienced medical writer.

Every year the flu shot prevents millions of infections and flu-related visits to the doctor’s office. Early vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

The annual flu vaccine is the best form of prevention for your child. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and up get the flu vaccine annually.
‍

Why your child should get the vaccine

The flu is different each year, so it is essential that your child gets vaccinated annually. For some, the flu is mild, resulting in a few days of feeling yucky, while for others it can result in more serious illness. Complications of the flu can include pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, or worsening of existing conditions like diabetes or asthma.

While some children who get the vaccination will still get the flu, vaccination reduces the severity of the illness. This ensures that children to do get sick are able to recover quickly, and return to normal activities.

Now is the time for your family to get the vaccine! The body typically takes two weeks to develop an immune response, so the earlier you and your children can get the vaccine, the better.

‍

Where to get the flu shot

Your family can get the flu vaccine at the doctor’s office, urgent care, or a local clinic or health center. Many schools also offered flu vaccine drives. Pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Duane Reade also offer the vaccine.

Visit https://www.vaccines.gov to find a flu vaccination near you!

‍

COVID-19 and the Flu Shot

While flu season is here, COVID-19 remains. Your child is at risk of both illnesses, and can even get both illnesses at the same time (research is underway to determine how common this is). Remember, the flu vaccine only protects your child from the flu, and the COVID-19 vaccine only protects your child from COVID-19, so your child should get both.

If getting the vaccines at the same time, we recommend that your child get one in each arm, as a sore arm is a common side effect. Receiving both vaccines at the same time does not influence the effectiveness of either vaccine, or cause more side effects.

‍

Flu FAQs

Can my child get the flu from the flu shot?

No. The flu vaccine is a deadened form of the virus. Minor side effects that may occur include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever, and aches. These side effects are the body responding to the vaccine! Since the vaccine takes 2 weeks to develop an immune response, it is possible that your child could get the flu during the 2 week period. Be sure to encourage your child to be extra careful (wash hands frequently, avoid close contact, etc), during this period.

‍
If my child has COVID-19, can they get the flu?

Yes, it is possible to get both illnesses at the same time.

‍

Can my child get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Yes. Your child can safely get both vaccines at the same time, and it does not matter which vaccine is administered first.

‍

Can the flu be asymptomatic?

Yes! In fact, 20% to 30% of people carrying the virus each year never show symptoms.

‍

Who should get the flu shot?

Everyone older than 6 months old.

‍

Don’t delay, get the flu shot today!

‍

Every year the flu shot prevents millions of infections and flu-related visits to the doctor’s office. Early vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

The annual flu vaccine is the best form of prevention for your child. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and up get the flu vaccine annually.
‍

Why your child should get the vaccine

The flu is different each year, so it is essential that your child gets vaccinated annually. For some, the flu is mild, resulting in a few days of feeling yucky, while for others it can result in more serious illness. Complications of the flu can include pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, or worsening of existing conditions like diabetes or asthma.

While some children who get the vaccination will still get the flu, vaccination reduces the severity of the illness. This ensures that children to do get sick are able to recover quickly, and return to normal activities.

Now is the time for your family to get the vaccine! The body typically takes two weeks to develop an immune response, so the earlier you and your children can get the vaccine, the better.

‍

Where to get the flu shot

Your family can get the flu vaccine at the doctor’s office, urgent care, or a local clinic or health center. Many schools also offered flu vaccine drives. Pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Duane Reade also offer the vaccine.

Visit https://www.vaccines.gov to find a flu vaccination near you!

‍

COVID-19 and the Flu Shot

While flu season is here, COVID-19 remains. Your child is at risk of both illnesses, and can even get both illnesses at the same time (research is underway to determine how common this is). Remember, the flu vaccine only protects your child from the flu, and the COVID-19 vaccine only protects your child from COVID-19, so your child should get both.

If getting the vaccines at the same time, we recommend that your child get one in each arm, as a sore arm is a common side effect. Receiving both vaccines at the same time does not influence the effectiveness of either vaccine, or cause more side effects.

‍

Flu FAQs

Can my child get the flu from the flu shot?

No. The flu vaccine is a deadened form of the virus. Minor side effects that may occur include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever, and aches. These side effects are the body responding to the vaccine! Since the vaccine takes 2 weeks to develop an immune response, it is possible that your child could get the flu during the 2 week period. Be sure to encourage your child to be extra careful (wash hands frequently, avoid close contact, etc), during this period.

‍
If my child has COVID-19, can they get the flu?

Yes, it is possible to get both illnesses at the same time.

‍

Can my child get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Yes. Your child can safely get both vaccines at the same time, and it does not matter which vaccine is administered first.

‍

Can the flu be asymptomatic?

Yes! In fact, 20% to 30% of people carrying the virus each year never show symptoms.

‍

Who should get the flu shot?

Everyone older than 6 months old.

‍

Don’t delay, get the flu shot today!

‍

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Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel’s diverse, culturally competent providers specialize in the health challenges of children and teens and partner with parents and school staff to make the best care decisions for students. Hazel is committed to improving health care equity and is available regardless of family income, geography, insurance status, or ability to pay. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care, because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of school-based telehealth. By partnering with districts and health plans across the country, Hazel transforms schools into the most accessible front door to pediatric healthcare. Today, Hazel’s licensed providers deliver teletherapy and virtual care (in school or at home) to over four million K-12 students, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Hazel aims to remove all barriers to the mental and physical health care that children need to thrive: in school, at home, and in life.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel serves nearly 2 million students across 100 school districts, helping to reduce chronic absenteeism and unfinished learning by addressing gaps in health care access. As an extension of the school health team, Hazel helps schools immediately address student physical and mental health care needs. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel helps school districts address chronic absenteeism, unfinished learning, and school enrollment, by addressing gaps in health care access.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Instead of waiting for an appointment with a doctor or therapist, children can see a Hazel provider for a telehealth visit, at no cost to families. With guardian permission, Hazel’s telehealth platform allows children to connect with a health care provider within minutes, or a therapist within days of referral. Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. At no cost, and regardless of insurance status, Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.