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Flu season begins in fall – usually October, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It can last into early spring.

Children may be more susceptible to the flu virus, since their immune systems are still developing.

“Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of flu-related complications. Influenza causes more hospitalizations among young children than any other vaccine-preventable disease,” according to HHS¹.

Vaccination is the “best protection against the flu,” according to HHS. Flu shots are now available through many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and clinics.²

Two things to remember when preparing for flu season:

There is more than one strain of flu virus. Strains fall into three categories – A, B, and C. According to the CDC, the 2010-2011 flu vaccine protects against H1N1, H3N2, and a type B strains.³

Flu vaccines come in shot and spray forms. This table from HHS recommends which is best for kids.

Vaccine: Flu Shot or Nasal Spray?² (Taken from HHS’ Seasonal Flu Vaccination Web Site)

Age and Conditions	One dose of Seasonal Vaccine	Two doses of Seasonal Vaccine	OK to Get Nasal Spray?
0 – 6 months	No	No	No
6 months – 9 years	One dose of seasonal flu vaccine if the child has had seasonal flu vaccination in the past.	Two doses of seasonal flu vaccine are needed if this is the first time the child is receiving flu vaccination.	No for children younger than two years. Yes, for children older than two years, unless the child has certain conditions. Check below for conditions information.
10 – 49 years	Yes	No	Can receive nasal spray if healthy and no underlying health conditions
50 years and older	Flu Shot Only	No	No
Pregnant women	Flu Shot Only	No	No
Arthritis	Flu Shot Only	No	No
Asthma	Flu Shot Only	Two doses of only Flu Shot if 6 months – 9 years (if first time flu vaccination)	No
HIV/AIDS	Flu Shot Only	Two doses of only Flu Shot if 6 months – 9 years (if first time flu vaccination)	No
5 years and younger, with a history of recurrent wheezing	Flu Shot Only	Two doses of only Flu Shot if 6 months – 5 years (if first time flu vaccination)	No
Children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy	Flu Shot Only	Two doses of only Flu Shot if 6 months – 9 years (if first time flu vaccination)	No
People who have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccine	No	No	No
People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.	No	No	No

• For decades, vaccines have been produced in chicken eggs. This process is time-consuming and for some flu seasons has resulted in flu vaccine shortages early in the flu season. Cell-based vaccine production takes less time, and has the added benefit of allowing persons who are allergic to eggs to receive the vaccine. Cell-based vaccine is not expected to become available until 2011. More information about cell-based vaccine productions.

• When a critical portion of a community is immunized against a contagious disease, most members of the community are protected against that disease because there is little opportunity for an outbreak. Even those who are not eligible for certain vaccines get some protection because the spread of contagious disease is contained. This is known as “community immunity.”

¹U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). School Planning for the Flu. (Emphasis added)

²U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Flu Vaccination.

³U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine.