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KidsHealth > Parents > General Health > Sick Kids > Too Late for a Flu Shot?

Although the flu season is from November to April, with most cases occurring between late December and early March, the flu vaccine is usually offered between September and mid-November. Getting the shot before the flu season is in full-force gives the body a chance to build up immunity to, or protection from, the virus. Even though it's ideal to get vaccinated early, the flu shot can still be helpful through the end of December. 

Although it's usually not a bad idea to try to get the flu shot for you and your family, just to be on the safe side, when there's a shortage of flu shots, certain people need it much more than others. You and your child's and family's doctor should determine who in your family should get the flu vaccine in a particular flu season.

Who, Exactly, Should Get a Flu Shot This Year?
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommend that these high-risk groups be given the flu shot before anyone else this year:

  • children 6 to 23 months old
  • anyone 65 and up
  • women who will be pregnant during the flu season
  • anyone who lives or works with infants under 6 months old
  • residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes
  • any adult or child with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma
  • health-care personnel who have direct contact with patients
  • children - from 6 months to 18 years - on long-term aspirin therapy

These high-risk children and adults should ideally visit their doctors in October, so they're adequately protected before flu season hits. For children under 9 who are getting a flu shot for the first time, it's given in two separate shots 1 month apart. It can take 1 to 2 weeks for the flu shot to become effective, so it's best to try to get the flu shot as soon as possible if your child's or family's doctor thinks it's necessary.

Those who should not get a flu shot include:

  • infants under 6 months old
  • anyone who's severely allergic to eggs and egg products (The ingredients for flu shots are actually grown inside eggs. If your child is allergic to eggs or egg products, let your child's doctor know before he or she gets a flu shot.)
  • anyone who's ever had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination
  • anyone who has Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare medical condition that affects the immune system and nerves
  • anyone who's sick with a fever

Another non-shot option called the nasal mist vaccine came on the market in 2003 and is now approved for use in 5- to 49-year-olds. But this nasal mist isn't for everyone, and can't be used on high-risk children and adults. Check with your child's doctor to see if your child can - or should - get this type of flu vaccine.

Are There Side Effects?
Most people do not experience any side effects from the flu shot. According to the CDC, less than one third of people vaccinated have soreness or swelling at the site of the shot or mild side effects, such as headache or low-grade fever.

Where Can My Family Get a Flu Shot?
Flu shots are available at:

  • many health care settings, including doctors' offices and public, employee, and university health clinics
  • pharmacies
  • supermarkets
  • community groups

If you have an HMO health insurance plan, be sure to check with your primary care doctors before having your child vaccinated against the flu anywhere outside your doctor's office, since most HMOs will pay for the shot only if it's given through their plan. Flu shots are covered by Medicare for senior citizens and are generally covered by insurance for people and children in other high-risk groups. For others, flu shots may cost anywhere from $10 to $50. If you've opted to get the nasal mist flu vaccine for your child, you'll also need to check that your insurance plan covers it.

If anyone in your family is in one of the high-risk groups, the flu shot can still help to provide protection until the end of December. Call your child's doctor to find out who in your family should get a flu shot.

Reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: October 2004





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