Facing the Flu: What Pediatricians Say About the Flu Shot

Fortunately, many of the COVID-19 guidelines that are in place are also helpful in preventing the spread of the flu. Masking, hand washing and simply staying at home when you don’t feel well are all simple ways we can prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Get Your Flu Shot

According to Rebecca Cantu, M.D., a physician at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Medical Sciences, the earlier in the season you get your flu shot, the better. And while it is still possible to get the flu despite being vaccinated, the vaccine is very effective and will still decrease the risk of hospitalization or death due to the flu.

“We recommend everyone be vaccinated by the end of October,” Cantu said. “It takes about two weeks for the full immunity effect. However, you can get your vaccine at any point during the season, well into the spring.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an estimated 380,000 to 900,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 17,000 to 100,000 flu-related deaths during the 2023-24 flu season (Oct. 1, 2023-April 30, 2024 data). There are 200 child deaths during this flu season (CDC data provided through Sept. 21, 2024). Getting a flu vaccine helps protect yourself, those around you and the community from the flu, while reducing the strain on health care systems.

Almost everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu shot. Flu shots also are especially recommended for pregnant women. According to the CDC, there are relatively few people who should not get a flu shot, including those with allergies to the vaccine. If you have questions about whether or not you should get a flu shot, talk to your health care provider.

“Healthy children are a lot more likely to have complications from flu than COVID-19," Cantu said. "Both the flu and COVID-19 are very contagious and can be severe and even deadly, even in healthy people, so it’s important to do everything possible to prevent the spread of both.”

Additional Ways to Prevent the Spread of Influenza

Many of the healthy habits we have gotten used to that help prevent the spread of COVID-19 are equally as effective in preventing the spread of the flu.

“One silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic is the normalization of safety measures like face masks and hand washing,” Cantu said. “…If people comply with them, we hope to see a decrease in COVID-19 and flu.”

There are many preventative measures you can take to prevent the spread of germs, including those that cause the flu.

These recommendations from the CDC are easy to put into practice if you have not done so already:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • For kids, sing the alphabet through twice to make sure they spend enough time washing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.