Dr. KR Menon, a paediatrician in Dubai, offers advice on flu shots for children.
Is it necessary to administer a flu vaccine every year? I was told that once you give your child a flu vaccine, you must continue to give it every year? Is this correct?
As the temperature begins to drop in the winter, flu becomes more common. High fever with chills or shivering, colds, coughs, sneezing, headache and body ache, tiredness, and, in some cases, vomiting are common flu symptoms in children.
The most common flu viruses are influenza A and B.
These viruses are highly contagious and are spread through droplets produced by a child’s coughing or sneezing. Because children play and study in such close quarters, they are prone to catching these infections quickly.
Flu can be dangerous, especially in young children, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic illnesses.
It is always preferable to protect your child from flu by administering the vaccine, and the best time to administer the vaccine is at the start of the winter season.
These virus strains frequently evolve. As a result, a vaccine that worked last year may not work this year. As a result, new flu vaccines are developed each year to keep up with the virus’s evolving strains. As a result, the most recent flu vaccine must be administered each year.
Rest, plenty of fluids, and paracetamol to reduce fever are all part of the treatment.
Seek medical attention if your child has difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe muscle pain, or a fever that will not go away.
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