Flu Vaccines Options for Children

Once children reach the age of six months, influenza vaccinations become a viable option for fighting against the flu. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children be given the annual influenza vaccination once they are old enough. Seasonal flus are one of the most common illnesses in the country due to their highly contagious nature, affecting both children and adults. As such, getting vaccinated every year can drastically reduce the risk of becoming infected with the flu.

The problem with flu vaccinations is that many young children are afraid of needles and injections, with many children dreading or resisting pediatricians administering the shot. Fortunately, advances in medical technology has allowed vaccinologists to create more flu vaccine options available to the general public.

While the traditional flu shot is still available, vaccinologists have come up with annual influenza vaccine formulations that protects people from four dominant strains of the virus, which is a great improvement from the older trivalent vaccines. In addition, the use of nasal spray vaccinations has been growing in popularity, particularly for children who are afraid of needles. Children who couldn't get flu vaccines in the past due to egg allergies (the use of chicken embryos was the traditional methodology in producing flu vaccines) can now get vaccinated due to a new egg-free flu vaccine that was developed.

Choosing the Right Pediatrician for Your Children

Since there are several significant differences between the body of a child and that of an adult, the medical needs of a child correspondingly vary from those of an adult. As such, children are brought to pediatricians for their medical concerns until their late teens, after which time, they would need to see general practitioners or specialists. Pediatricians, however, are truly specialized in the unique needs of children, which is why it is important for parents to choose their children’s doctor judiciously.

Some doctors recommend looking for a pediatrician as early as 28 weeks into the pregnancy. Deciding on a pediatrician early allows parents to establish a connection and comfort level with the doctor; choosing early also allows the pediatrician to be on hand during the childbirth to conduct any necessary examination on your baby, especially if there is a complication during birth.

Take the time to thoroughly research on the qualifications of pediatricians to ascertain that they meet your particular needs. Although friends will suggest a good pediatrician, their needs may be different from yours; and good pediatricians are not a one-size-fits-all investment. Take the time to know where a pediatrician studied and his or her philosophies on child rearing. Set appointments with the pediatricians that you feel meet your needs in order to get a feel of how they interact with you and your future family member.