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CLEVELAND – Flu season has begun and now is the time to get vaccinated. That also applies to your children.
According to the CDC, influenza vaccination is recommended starting at 6 months of age.
“Influenza, or the flu as it is commonly known, can cause many hospitalizations and even death,” said Dr. Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic. “It is important to get yourself and your loved ones vaccinated as it can lead to missing work or school.”
Dr. Vyas said there are different types of influenza vaccines, including the standard arm shot as well as a nasal spray that was recently approved by the FDA.
It is not yet available to the general public and will only be available to healthy, non-pregnant individuals between the ages of 2 and 49.
Side effects are similar for both vaccines and usually include headache, fever, muscle pain, nausea, and fatigue.
Vyas said symptoms are generally mild and resolve on their own within a few days.
However, they recommend taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen if needed.
“In rare cases, people who have had a reaction to the flu vaccine or developed a condition called Guillain-Barre with a previous vaccine may not be candidates for the flu vaccine.” “However, in general, the influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age.”
Dr. Vyas said that in addition to vaccination, there are other precautions people should keep in mind, such as washing their hands regularly, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and staying home when sick.
