Why Children Shouldn’t Miss Flu Vaccination Before Monsoon Hits
As summer fades and the rainy season looms, parents often face a dilemma: whether to vaccinate their children against the flu. However, skipping flu vaccination due to fears of side effects is a decision that could have serious consequences. Here’s why it’s crucial to prioritize flu vaccination for children before the onset of the monsoon:
Flu Season is Upon Us With the approach of the flu season, experts stress the importance of annual influenza vaccination for children aged 6 months to 5 years. This is especially vital as the symptoms of influenza virus and Covid-19 can overlap, causing understandable anxiety among parents.
Guarding Against Confusion The flu shot serves as a crucial defense, significantly reducing the risk of influenza-related complications in children. By vaccinating early, parents can help mitigate the confusion and anxiety caused by similar symptoms of flu and Covid-19.
Expert Insights In a recent interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Anish Pillai, Lead Consultant in Neonatology and Pediatrics at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar and Navi Mumbai, emphasized the importance of flu vaccination before the monsoon. Dr. Pillai noted that while the rainy season provides relief from summer heat, it also brings a host of health issues, including the common cold and flu infections.
Common Occurrence During the rainy season, flu cases in children become all too common, making it a recurring concern for parents. Dealing with runny noses, coughs, and fevers in children becomes a regular part of parental duties during this time.
In essence, flu vaccination before the monsoon hits is not just a precaution but a necessity to safeguard children against the flu and its potential complications.