|  | Conditions Treatments | Cold Flu

Reaction to the Flu Shot in Children

The flu shot, available for children six months of age and up, is an inactivated vaccine containing the killed influenza virus. The vaccine contains three types of influenza viruses, an H3N2, H1N1 and one B virus. The antibodies in the vaccine protect and prevent children from developing the three different types of influenza viruses in the body.

  1. Common Side Effects

    • Since the virus in the shot is killed, it is impossible to get the flu from the flu shot. Common side effects that generally begin one to two days after receiving the shot include soreness, redness or swelling of the injection site, a low grade fever and muscle aches. If other severe side effects occur, it could be because of an allergic reaction to the shot. If a child experiences high fevers or any other behaviors that seem abnormal, contact a pediatrician immediately.

    Who Should Avoid the Flu Shot

    • Children who have a known severe allergy to chicken eggs or have had a previous severe reaction to an influenza vaccination should avoid receiving the flu shot. Kids who are under the age of six months old should also wait until they are older to receive the flu shot. Kids who are sick with a moderate to severe illness are recommended to wait until they are healthy before getting the flu shot.

    Flu Shot Alternatives

    • Whether there's a shortage of flu shots or your child doesn't react well to the shot, there are several alternatives available. FluMist, a nasal spray flu vaccine, is available for kids ages two and up. However, some insurance companies do not cover the cost of FluMist, so it's important to check beforehand. For parents concerned with the thimerosal found in the flu shot, it's important to note that FluMist does not contain any traces of thimerosal. Oseltamivir, more commonly known as TamiFlu, is an antiviral drug used to prevent the flu. While this isn't as effective as a flu shot or nasal spray, it helps prevent the flu for children who have already been exposed. This medicine can also be used for patients who already have the flu, to help shorter the time that they feel ill.

    FluMist Side Effects

    • While FluMist is an alternative for people who have trouble with the standard flu shot, there are some side effects that children may or may not experience after taking the FluMist spray. Like the standard flu vaccination, children may experience a low grade fever or muscle aches. However, runny nose, wheezing, headaches and vomiting are also associated with the FluMist spray for children.

    Understanding Coincidence

    • If your child had a mild cold before getting the flu shot and then develops a fever or a more severe cold afterwards, don't assume that it is a reaction to the shot. It's more likely that the cold just developed into something more severe. If other children in the family or the classroom are sick and your child develops symptoms after getting the flu shot, it's probable that he just picked up on whatever is going around. However, if the same behaviors occur every single time your child gets the flu shot, chances are she's having a reaction to the shot.

Cold Flu - Related Articles