The cold and flu season can make any parent’s head spin! There are so many different circulating illnesses that the chances that your child will get sick this year at least once is relatively high.

Thankfully, we have resources like the flu shot to help minimize the risk of contracting at least one version of the flu each year. Your AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Road team encourages you to get your entire family vaccinated against the flu every year, and we explain why below.

Who Is Eligible for the Flu Shot?

Anyone under the age of 6 months is not able to get the flu shot, but that is it! Nearly everyone else is encouraged to get it as soon as possible in the season. Since the flu shot protects against each year’s current flu strains, it is important that your children get vaccinated every year.

The shot is a great level of defense for your children. It can help keep them from getting sick entirely, or if they do come down with influenza, it can drastically reduce symptom severity. The flu shot, along with eating well, encouraging quality sleep and frequent handwashing can go a long way to keeping your children healthy this year.

Benefits of the Flu Shot in Young Children

• It reduces risk of death or serious illness due to the flu.
• It can reduce the number of sick days if they do get the flu.
• The shot protects others that cannot get the vaccine.
• It can keep any symptoms mild.

Why Can Kids Get Really Sick From the Flu?

Small children and babies have really small breathing passages and airways. That’s just the nature of being little! Because of that, any type of irritation in their respiratory systems can be dangerous and cause breathing troubles.

Any time your child is experiencing respiratory distress, this is considered an emergency and you need to take swift action right away. Getting the flu shot is one of the best ways to avoid this! If you have a baby under 6 months of age in your home, everyone else should be vaccinated against the flu to protect your baby as well.

Prioritize Health This Season

• Get your annual flu shot.
• Teach proper handwashing.
• Avoid others if they are sick.
• Eat well and stay hydrated.
• Make sleep a priority for everyone.

It’s not too late to get your flu shot this year! Come see us today at AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Road.