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Getting a flu shot is the safest way to protect your children from the flu and its complications. The flu shot is safe for kids 6 months and older and can save lives.
Why should my child get a flu shot?
It might seem like the flu isn’t a big deal, but getting the flu can mean missing school, or worse. It could mean going to the emergency room and having serious health problems if your child is at risk for complications from the flu.
A quick flu shot helps keep your child healthy and your schedule on track. Kids who get vaccinated tend to miss fewer days of school. And if they do catch the flu, it’s usually milder.
Kids who get the flu shot are up to 67% less likely to need a doctor for the flu and up to 61% less likely to be hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When should my child get vaccinated?
Flu season typically starts in September and can last through March or April.
The best time to get a flu shot is early in the fall, ideally by the end of October.
Getting vaccinated later, however, can still help.
Kids 6 months to 8 years old need 2 doses of flu vaccine per season if:
- They’re getting a flu shot for the first time
- In years past, they’ve gotten only one dose of flu vaccine
Children who need 2 flu shots should get their first flu shot as soon as it is available. The second flu shot needs to be given at least 4 weeks after the first. After that, it’s just one shot once a year.
Where can I get my child a flu shot?
If you’re a Kaiser Permanente member, getting your whole family flu shots is easy and convenient. You have many options.
You can make an appointment with a nurse or get the vaccine during a doctor visit. We offer walk-in flu clinics, so you can bring the whole family without extra planning.
Find the option closest to you on kp.org/flu.
What if my child is afraid of needles?
If flu-shot day has come, and your child is feeling scared, Raul Luis-Solorio, a medical assistant at our Olympia Medical Center in Olympia, Washington, has some advice.
“Let the kids call the shots,” he said. “Give your child time to calm down and take a deep breath. Ask them to say ‘I’m ready’ when they’re ready. Then, because they're prepared for it, they’ll walk away thinking, ‘Wow, that didn't even hurt.’”
Is the nasal mist an option for my child?
If your child doesn’t like shots, a nasal spray vaccine is available in some areas. It works just as well as the flu shot.
The nasal spray has a weak form of the virus, but it won’t give your child the flu.
Can the flu shot get you sick?
The flu shot can’t give you the flu. Some people feel a little tired or achy afterward, but that’s a normal response. It usually lasts just a day or 2.
“The flu shot tricks your immune system into thinking your body has the flu. That reaction means the shot is working,” said Connie Park, MD, chief of infectious disease for Kaiser Permanente in San Leandro, California.
Getting vaccinated helps your body build protection without making you sick.
How do you treat the flu?
Most people get better in 7 to 10 days with plenty of rest and fluids. Kids don’t usually need medical care unless their symptoms are severe.
In some cases, a doctor may recommend antiviral medicine. It works best when it’s started within 2 days of symptoms.
For more tips on caring for kids with the flu, read our flu care instructions.
What are emergency warning signs of flu?
Call a doctor or go to the ER if your child:
- Has trouble breathing
- Has a seizure
- Hasn’t peed in 8 hours
- Seems very tired or doesn’t respond when awake
- Has a fever over 104 degrees that doesn’t go down with medicine