- Flu Vaccine Information
Add to Calendar: Keeping Your Kids Up to Date on Essential Vaccines
Parents and caregivers have a lot on their plates between work, school, after-school activities, and weekend plans. Over the past few years, schedules have been even more complicated (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and many families’ routine wellness check-ups have been delayed or forgotten. This also means that routine vaccines might have been postponed as well.
As we look to prepare for the new school year, it is the perfect time to think about upcoming vaccines. While this may sound early, it is never too early to book appointments for school-aged children so they don’t fall behind on vaccinations. Yearly physicals book up quickly, so the earlier you can schedule, the better!
During our most recent influencer campaign, Jill of Military With Kids shared her thoughts on making time for the flu vaccine, “It feels so busy as we are getting back to school and all the activities are in full swing, but I am making it a priority to schedule our family’s flu vaccines to protect the ones I love and our community this flu season.”
According to the CDC, well-child visits and recommended vaccinations are essential and help ensure children stay healthy. Getting caught up on recommended vaccines is one of the best ways to help prevent serious illnesses from viruses like the flu. Flu viruses are constantly changing, so new vaccines are made each year to protect against the flu viruses that are likely to cause the most illness.
Here is an incredibly helpful chart to keep you and your family informed about immunization schedules and on track. Children six months and older should receive their annual flu vaccine in early fall, ideally before Halloween.
Once you have your flu vaccines scheduled, it is best to prepare your kids for their visit. It can sometimes be scary, so we have created these five helpful tips for preparing children for flu vaccinations. Read all about it here.
Don’t forget everyone is susceptible to the flu, and it is especially dangerous for children younger than five, especially those younger than two. A past study shows that flu vaccination significantly reduces a child’s risk of dying from influenza.
Think of this as a reminder to put a note on your calendar to call your medical provider and schedule those appointments!