Influenza (flu) vaccination is safe for anyone 6 months of age and older who wants to protect themselves and those around them from flu and its complications.
Flu shots are usually given once a year from October to mid-November.
- Children under the age of 9 years who have never had a flu shot will need two doses of the vaccine, given at least 4 weeks apart.
- Children under the age of 9 years who are getting the vaccine for the second year require:
- 2 doses of the vaccine if they received only one dose in the year before.
- 1 dose if they received two doses the year before.
- Children who are receiving the vaccine for the third year (or other years after that) only require 1 dose, even if they only had one in the previous 2 years.
The shots provide protection throughout the flu season — October to March.
Should my child get a flu shot?
The CPS recommends that all children over 6 months old get a flu shot each year. The vaccine is especially important for children who are at high risk of complications from the flu. They are children who:
- are between 6 months and 23 months old.
- have chronic heart or lung disorders (such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, asthma) serious enough to need regular medical follow-up.
- have chronic conditions that weaken the immune system, such as:
- immune deficiencies
- metabolic diseases
- cancer
- HIV infection
- are undergoing treatments or taking drugs that weaken the immune system.
- have kidney disease.
- have anemia or hemoglobinopathy.
- have diabetes or other metabolic diseases.
- have neurological or neuromuscular disorders that affect their breathing or make it hard to handle respiratory secretions.
- have to take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin) on a daily basis.
- live in a chronic care facility.
- live with another child or adult who is at risk of complications from the flu.
If there are children less than 2 years old in your home, everyone living in the house should get a flu shot. This is especially important if there are children under 6 months old in the home, since babies this age can’t get the shot themselves and could become infected if a family member gets the flu. Babysitters and others who take care of children less than 24 months of age outside of the home should also be immunized.
The Canadian Paediatric Society also supports yearly influenza immunization for all healthy children over 24 months of age, to prevent illness and reduce spread of influenza to those who are more vulnerable.
Pregnant women should also be immunized.
Who should not get the flu shot?
Children should NOT get a flu shot if they:
- are under 6 months of age. Although the vaccine is not harmful to babies less than 6 months old, it does not work.
- have a severe egg allergy (hives, swelling of the eyes, face or mouth), unless the vaccine is given under close medical supervision. The vaccine is made in chicken eggs.
- have had a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the eyes, face or mouth) to a previous flu shot, unless the vaccine is given under close medical supervision.
If your child has an allergy to thimerosal (a preservative in contact lens solutions and the flu vaccine), ask about the availability of thimerosal-free vaccine.
How safe is the flu vaccine?
The influenza vaccine being used right now is made from killed flu virus. It cannot cause the flu. Side effects are usually mild and limited to:
- mild soreness at the place where the needle went into the arm.
- a slight fever or aching for the first day or two after immunization, especially after the first dose of vaccine.
Giving acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®, Panadol®, others) will help reduce these symptoms.
In rare cases, a person may have red or itchy eyes, cough and mild swelling of the face within a few hours of vaccination. This usually goes away within 48 hours.
A new type of influenza vaccine which is given as a nose spray rather than by injection is available in some countries but not yet in Canada. It contains live influenza virus that has been changed so that it can no longer cause disease. In the United States, it is used only in healthy children who are 5 years old or over.
For more information:
For complete information on vaccinations in Canada, read Your Child's Best Shot: A Parent's Guide to Vaccination.
Updated: December 2008
This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
