Why one shot can save your child’s life this winter
Winter is nearly here, which is the prime time for children to get influenza, or flu. This very contagious viral infection affects the air passages of the lungs and can cause a high fever, body aches, a cough, headaches as well as other symptoms. While most children who contract flu are ill for less than a week, some children can develop a more serious illness and may need to hospitalised. In extreme cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia with potentially fatal consquences1.
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, the flu leads to an estimated 20 000 children under the age of 5 being hospitalised due to flu complications each year. Most flu-related deaths in children are amongst those who have not been vaccinated, and many of the deaths are in healthy children who have no underlying illnesses2.
The influenza vaccination is the first, and most important, step to protect the entire family from flu each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older3.
Children are key carriers of the flu2 and are two to three times more likely to get the flu, compared to adults4. Flu spreads from person to person when someone with the virus sneezes, coughs, talks, or touches a surface or object contaminated with the influenza virus and then touches their mouth or nose2.
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Having children vaccinated also means better protecting those within the household who may be at greater risk of severe disease or complications when infected with flu. These include pregnant women, older people, individuals with chronic medical conditions and people with immunosuppressive conditions or treatments such as those with HIV or patients receiving chemotherapy5. In families with infants under six months of age, who are too young to receive the vaccine, it's important for family members to get vaccinated to help protect the baby2.
Flu can cause serious illness especially in children aged two and under, and children with medical conditions and whose immune systems are weakened4.
Flu vaccinations are safe, effective, and time-tested over many decades and contain inactive virus strains that are matched to the most commonly circulating influenza viruses that year6. Once vaccinated, a child's immune system creates antibodies that help fight the virus when it encounters it4. Because immunity to the vaccine weakens, annual vaccination is a critical step to stay healthy3.
Flu vaccines for children are among the safest medicines available. While the idea of your child receiving a vaccination may not be appealing4, remember that the flu vaccine significantly reduces the risk of hospitalisation and possible death from the flu. Research shows this is true for both children with an underlying medical condition and children who are healthy7. Preventing illness is always a better option than treating it4.
Flu vaccinations are currently available at most healthcare providers, pharmacies and clinics in South Africa. For more information, go to https://prevent-flu.co.za/.
References:
1. John Hopkins Medicine. Influenza (Flu) in Children (2025) at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/influenza/influenza-flu-in-children (website accessed on 16 February 2025)
2. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). Flu and Children (2024) at (https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/flu-and-children/ (website accessed on 16 February 2025)
3. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). Myths and Facts about Flu and Children (2023) at https://www.nfid.org/resource/myths-and-facts-about-flu-and-children/ (website accessed on 16 February 2025)
4. Web MD - Flu Vaccines for Children Under 2 (2023) at https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-shots-for-children-under-2 (Website accessed on 2 May 2024).
5. World Health Organization (WHO). Influenza (seasonal) (2023) at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal) (website accessed on 30 January 2024).
6. Families Fighting Flu Inc. Facts on Flu Vaccines (2021) at https://www.familiesfightingflu.org/facts-on-flu-vaccines/# (website accessed on 18 February 2024)
7. Mayo Clinic. Does my child need a flu shot this year? (2023) at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/flu-shots/faq-20058448# (Website accessed on 2 May 2024).
This post and content is sponsored, written and produced by Influvac.
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