#IPromiseToStopFlu For My Child Every Year with Influenza Vaccine

Influenza Vaccine

My kids are going to have a vacation soon, so we can relax and have some fun! They love playing in parks, running around (never mind the cold!) and going out! Movies and going to amusement parks top the list of places to go. With this comes in contact with so many people and places. Contagious diseases like cold and flu are inevitable when this happens and by the time vacation is over, we have a battle on our hands namely the flu.

Not anymore! Now, I make sure we all get the flu vaccination or the flu shot before winter starts. I feel that all of us in the family should be safeguarded against the flu. In this way, we have had less downtime from school and office. We are so much happier and healthier after taking this one precaution.

In fact, the flu shot tops our list of things to do during winter. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to kick in, so we always aim to get the flu shot before the winter break. Now, our family doesn’t come down with flu for a whole year!

Everyone at home – kids, parents, and elders – get the flu shot yearly.


What’s in the Flu Shot?

The traditional flu shot has three killed Influenza viruses in it. When you have the flu shot, these deactivated viruses help your body to build antibodies against the flu. Another type of flu shot has one more killed virus in it and works in the same way. As every year new strains of the Influenza virus get activated, you need to repeat the vaccine yearly for it to be effective always.[1]

How Does it Work?

The deactivated viruses in the vaccine help your body develop antibodies and, in this way, builds your immunity to #StopFlu. Now when the Influenza virus enters your body, your body recognizes it and is able to produce the antibodies needed to fight against this active virus.[2]


Does the Influenza Vaccine Work? Who Should Take It?

This is a big-time question- Does the influenza vaccine work? Of course, it does but when taken in appropriate doses and intervals. Above 6 months of age, everyone should get the Influenza vaccine once a year. According to your age, different dosages or flu shots are recommended.[3] If you have a baby at home below six months, the best way to protect the baby is by all the members of the family getting the vaccine. Older family members above 65 are at risk of getting complications from the flu, so get them vaccinated also.

When Should We Get the Vaccination?

After vaccination, your body needs two weeks to develop the antibodies to identify and fight against the flu. It is best you take the vaccine before the flu season begins. But you can get the vaccine during the flu season as well.[4]

This is why I always get my family vaccinated annually so everyone is safe during the winters.

The first time we all got the flu shot, I asked the doctor if there were any side effects to taking the vaccine. He was kind enough to explain that the usual side effects like fever, swelling at the place of injection may occur but there is no need to panic.[5] My son got a mild fever the first time he was vaccinated, but it was mild and he recovered quickly.

A flu vaccine has many benefits to offer and since we have started getting the shots, I have seen a marked difference in the lowering of the number of times my children fall sick. My list for winter is ready. What about you?

#IPromiseToStopFlu for my child. You?


[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/in-depth/flu-shots/art-20048000

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vax-summary.htm

[4] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vax-summary.htm

[5] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.html

© Ruchi Verma

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Disclaimer – This article is an advisory piece. Before you medication kindly consult a medical practitioner or nutritionist.

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Ruchi Verma

Certified parenting teen practitioner, multiple Award winner, mother of two active kids believes in sharing the right source of information to readers which could help them in every possible way!!

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32 Comments

  1. Vaccines must hain, sabko apne baccho ko lagwana hi chaiye
    Thanks for useful n informative post ??

  2. Yes flu vaccination has lots of benefits and keep our family safe during winter. thanks a lot for sharing all points together in this post. it will help a lot in reminding parents for flu vaccination for their family.

  3. Yes flu is very common especially during winter. Never know that vaccination prevent from getting flu

  4. Everyone should take the flu vaccine before the onset of the flu season. This is the best way to protect our family from this life-threating illness. Very informative post!

  5. You are so right buddy, flu shots should betaken by theentire family to reduce theepisodesof sickness.

  6. Right awareness and guidance is very important to fight against the disease. Thanks for sharing

  7. When my kids were small I was very particular in getting them vaccinated with flu shots every year. Sure works fine.

  8. It is a mendatory vaccine in UAE and since it’s really fatal and my then 3 year old got it once, I am now extra careful and get it at end of September every year now.

  9. I think Flu vaccinations are the best ideas to prevent flu in winters. Yearly Flu shots are a safer option.

  10. The vaccination against fu is a must for all kids. The article is useful for parents who are confused about the vaccination. Informative!

  11. vaccines are o important. Its scientific and has shown immense results, yet some people are so against it. Its high time people get to know about influenza and its danger.

  12. Every parent should take this oath of getting the flu vaccine done for kids at the right time.

  13. It is necessary to get kids vaccinated for flu to avoid catching deadly disease circumstances. I would get my nephew vaccinated on time.

  14. This is so informative post. I will get influenza shots done soon for my family . Thankyou for sharing such an awesome knowledgeable post

  15. That’s a lovely blog on a healthy topic

  16. That’s a very informative post. Thanks for this?

  17. That’s a very informative post thanks for sharing

  18. This is something, everything parent should take it seriously. Such an informative feed….

  19. I am a pharmacist so this was a very refreshing and accurate read! Thanks for passing on this important information

  20. I get mine every yr. Have not been bad sick with flu in years!!

  21. Thanks for sharing this worderful information, it is really helpful

  22. very important topic! Both me and my husband caught the flu early this winter, and we felt awful! Myalgia, headache, vomiting ….! IF we (as adults) were miserable, I cannot imagine how kids can go through this !
    Very informative post, every parent should read this, and we all should take this vaccine ! Thanks for sharing !

  23. This is so motivating ??

  24. Indeed it’s utmost important to give proper vaccination to kids and keep them.protected..

  25. Vaccines are very important because they give automatic protection. The flu can be very hard. Some may think it’s just a small thing, but it can really hard to function with the flu, especially for a child.

  26. There’s always so much discussion about NOT getting flu shots and I don’t get it – maybe someday our world will be ready, but until then, why can’t people just cooperate. This is basic infant health care, gosh.

  27. flu shots are crucial! my fam and I swear by them!

  28. Medical shots for kids it’s so important nowadays to avoid any kind of sickness. I think All parents should read this post! Awesome post!

  29. thanks for the explanation

  30. This is a touchy subject so I wont voice my opinion too much. I will say to each its own as long as they do the research.

  31. Taking care of kids as well as adults has become challenge these days.

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