Don’t Miss These Shots!

 

Just in time for the holidays: Influenza has come early and is spreading fast, COVID-19 is ever-present, RSV continues to put a heavy strain on children’s hospitals across the nation, and other cold weather respiratory viruses are reappearing after being shut out by three years of COVID precautions like social distancing and masking.

One week before Thanksgiving and a month before the Christmas holiday, doctors everywhere are hoping their patients are fully vaccinated and boosted against influenza and COVID-19 before they enjoy close gatherings with family and friends.

If you and your children have not gotten your annual influenza vaccine, it’s getting late! COVID-19 vaccines are also a must to help avoid one of the most contagious, debilitating, and deadly infectious diseases out there (1,070,947 Americans and counting have died from COVID-19, including 2,344 in the last week alone). The newest, bivalent COVID boosters are highly effective against the current Omicron subvariants in contrast to the older, monovalent booster shots. Only 10% of those who are eligible for the updated COVID booster (everyone 5 years and older who have completed the primary series) have received one, according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker. In a country having already experienced so much death and despair from one pandemic virus, 10% is an absurdly low percentage for vaccines proven to be safe and effective. And they’re free!

Influenza vaccines are also safe, effective, and available everywhere for no charge. Unfortunately, the AAP reported last week that flu vaccine coverage in children and in pregnant women is lower compared to previous years. Since the flu season is off to an early start (pediatric hospitalization rates saw their highest level in a decade last month), pediatricians like Kristina A. Bryant, M.D. are urging their patients to get vaccinated against influenza ASAP:

The flu virus is common. It is also not predictable. Most people who get the flu are sick for at least a week. Some people get much sicker, and even healthy young children may get very sick.

For children who are at least 6 months of age, influenza vaccine is the best way to avoid serious illness. And to protect children younger than 6 months, influenza vaccination is recommended for all eligible family members every year.

 

Babies and young children, even healthy ones, are at high risk for developing severe illness from influenza, Dr. Bryant says:

• Kids younger than age 2 years are at highest risk.

• Infants younger than age 6 months have the highest rates of hospitalization and death. They are too young to be vaccinated.

• Healthy children age 2 years to 5 years are more likely to be taken to a doctor, an urgent care center or the emergency room because of flu, compared to older healthy kids.

Parents also should keep in mind:

• Your baby’s immune system is still developing. This can put them at higher risk of infection from viruses like flu or make it harder to respond to infections.

• Your young child may not have been exposed to influenza viruses. Because the past two flu seasons were mild, some young children might not have immunity to influenza.

 

Research shows that a flu shot during pregnancy reduces the risk of fetal death (stillbirth), preterm labor, and low birthweight in newborns. Women who are pregnant and mothers who are breastfeeding should make sure they get a flu shot this year to protect themselves and their young babies (the same goes for the COVID-19 vaccine and booster):

• Getting a flu shot while pregnant or breastfeeding helps your baby boost their immune system. Antibodies against flu are passed to your baby in the womb or through breastmilk.

• Once babies are 6 months or older, being vaccinated enhances their immunity.

• Household members benefit from immune-boosting protection of the influenza vaccine, too. They will be less likely to expose babies to the flu. It’s like having a cocoon around the baby to protect them if they are too young to be vaccinated.

 

Don’t make an unforced error and miss these two important vaccines! Get them now and enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season with family and friends!

 

(Google Images)

 

source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/11/15/dont-miss-these-shots/