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Flu vaccine
I would like to hear tour opinion on flu vaccine given from 6 months. Is it necessary? How effective is it? My baby doesn't get flu, so I was thinking maybe it's not something to consider. Kindly advise
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Dr Faisal Zoheb
MBBS , MD PAEDIATRICS , PGPN (BOSTON), FELLOWSHIP IN NEONATOLOGY ( Newborn and vaccination specialist )
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Flu vaccine is necessary
Take it as advised by ur paediatrician unless u have financial issues
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Flu vaccine is necessary. Kids below 5 years have less immunity against viral influenza and are at highest risk to have serious infections. Epidemics of flu occur in monsoon and winter. The world health organization WHO also recommends it.
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Yes — I strongly recommend the flu vaccine for your baby
At 6 months old, your baby is now old enough to receive their first flu shot. Babies this age are especially vulnerable. Infants under 1 year have immature immune systems and no prior immunity to influenza. When babies get the flu, they’re at much higher risk of serious complications. Because of changing trends in genetics of viruses , flu vaccines also are updated regularly in accordance with new strains of viruses. This vaccine will prevent origin of flu infection in children and in children who are exposed to virus , the seriousness risk will be less. vaccination regularly will make him be part of vaccine cocooning. Once child is affected with any illness , his body energy resources will be diverted towards the recovery from illness which will affect his growth and other parameters like weight n height
Next Steps
- initiation of flu shot at 6 months and continuing till 5 years to prevent need of hospitalization
Health Tips
- adequate nutrition ; cautious care during active flu season ; preventing travel to public gatherings during the flu season.
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Yes it is necessary and it's is not included in government vaccines
This flu vaccine is basically for preventing common cold cough frequent flus symptoms
Yes you need to take yearly once upto 5 yrs
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Dr. Prashanth Kumar T
Pediatrician
7 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Yes beneficial,will give protection to Influenza
Next Steps
vaccinations have advantages>disadvantages
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Dr. Allwyn Rayalu A
Pediatrician
10 yrs exp
Chennai
Good evening,
I will give you the pros and cons you decide
Pros
↓ Flu illness risk: ~40–60%
↓ Hospitalization (children): ~40–70%
↓ ICU admission (children): ~74%
↓ Flu-related death (children): ~50–65%
↓ Severe complications (pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalopathy)
Protects high-risk groups (young children, elderly, pregnant, chronic disease)
Indirect protection for infants <6 months (via maternal vaccination)
↓ School/work absenteeism
Reduces transmission within families
Cons
Not fully protective (effectiveness varies yearly)
Requires annual dose
Mild side effects:
Injection site pain: ~10–20%
Low-grade fever: ~5–10%
Rare adverse events:
Febrile seizures: ~1–2 per 10,000
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: ~1–2 per million
Does not protect against all viral fevers (only influenza)
Cost/availability may be limiting
⚖️ Bottom line
Benefit >> risk, especially in children, elderly, pregnant women, and comorbid patients
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Dr. Supe Vishal Laxman
Neonatologist
16 yrs exp
Pune
Yes give .Also you can consider few vaccine which are not available in government like Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, Typhoid vaccine pneumococcal vaccine , Chicken pox vaccine , hepatitis A ,HPV (if female baby)
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Dr. Bhatt Vivek Prafulchandra
Pediatrician
5 yrs exp
Rajkot
No vaccine is compulsory to give.. it will prevent flu like symptoms, which vaccine you will give that prevent disease..
Or if admission or icu charges 10 times more than vaccine charges
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Dr. Pandurang Sawant
Pediatrician
16 yrs exp
Pune
You can give it now also
Go and get it
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Dr. Mahak Arora
Pediatrician
10 yrs exp
New Delhi
Hello regarding flu vaccine
It is optional vaccine under Iap guidelines its is recommended for children need to get 2 doses at 6 month and 7 month ..
These days children are very much prone to urti and influenza viruse is the common cause so i strongly recommend to get flu shots especially in children less than 5 years
Health Tips
Prevention is always better
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Dr. Tangade Vishal Bhanudas
Pediatrician
4 yrs exp
Pune
Yes, its important
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Dr. Keerthana Sarapu
Pediatrician
2 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Yes it’s necessary
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