Flu shots

Pediatrics for Parents, Sept, 2003

There's no question that children benefit from receiving the flu shot. The question is which children? All children or just those with certain illnesses? Only children in certain age groups or does the child's age matter? Different health groups have made different recommendations.

In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the flu shot only for children between six and twenty-three months old. In December, 2002, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) came out for universal vaccination of all children.

Some doctors believe that only high-risk children, such as those with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, etc., need the flu shot. One problem with this approach, according to Jon Abramson, MD, past chair of the AAP Committee of Infectious Diseases, is that when you try to immunize only high-risk children, "You only get 10% to 20% of your high-risk patients vaccinated. It always more effective to do an age-based recommendation."

Another group of healthcare professionals who recommend immunizing all children are public health experts. With universal immunization, the number of cases in the population of flu is lower, and this lessens the spread to everyone. They also point out that, although few children die from the flu, many get sick enough to miss school. Last year schools in several states had to close due to flu outbreaks.

Should your child get a flu shot? The answer is complex. There's no question that children with chronic diseases benefit from the flu shot. For healthy children the answer is not quite so simple. It depends on which experts you choose to believe.

American Medical News, 8/11/03.