AAP issues flu season guidance for children

Flu season is approaching again, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its prevention and vaccination recommendations for 2024-2025.

The statement highlights a sobering fact: Not only did flu vaccination rates decline last year, flu-related childhood deaths also increased, with the highest number of deaths reported since the 2019-2020 season.

Here’s what parents need to know about the flu and vaccinations in children.

Flu issues in children

Parents who have had children at home sick in previous years will not be surprised to learn that the flu is most prevalent among children. Children under 5 years of age (especially those under 2 years of age with underlying medical conditions) are most likely to experience an increased risk of complications and hospitalization.

“Much of the suffering we saw last year could have been prevented or at least less severe by getting more children vaccinated against influenza,” said Christina M.D., FAPE, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases (COID). · Kristina A. Bryant says.

Dr. Bryant also told parents”, “Some parents may not realize that the flu can cause serious or life-threatening infections even in healthy children, and that the flu vaccine can prevent the most serious complications of the flu.

What to know about the flu vaccine

This year’s flu vaccine is trivalent. In fact, parents and caregivers will be happy to know that immunizations protect against three diseases. As for who should get the vaccine and when, here are Cliffs’ notes:

• All children over 6 months of age without medical contraindications should be vaccinated.
• Some people need two doses, such as children 6 months to 8 years old who have never been vaccinated before, and people whose vaccine status is unknown, or who have only received one dose before July 1, 2024. Vaccinations are given at least four weeks apart.
• Other children will receive one dose during the 2024-2025 season.
• Vaccination is recommended before October 31, 2024.

At the same time, vaccination is safe and is recommended for pregnant and lactating women. “Pregnancy puts people at increased risk for more severe and fatal influenza illness, posing risks not only to the mother herself but also to the developing fetus,” said Michelle Bennett, MD, FAAP , PLLC, board-certified pediatrician Elliston Pediatrics tells parents.

She added that when people are vaccinated during pregnancy, they pass the antibodies to their babies before they are born. “Babies are born with some protection against influenza, and this protection lasts for the first few months, making the baby less likely to get the flu,” Dr. Bennett said.

Flu vaccine or nasal spray for children

Dr. Bryant stresses that everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated. She further explained: “There are two types of vaccines. Children of all ages can get the flu vaccine. Most healthy children 2 years and older can get the flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray.

Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which version is best for your child and to discuss any allergies or existing medical conditions.

“Severe allergic reactions to the flu vaccine are rare, but children who experience a severe reaction should see an allergist to determine whether it is safe to receive another flu vaccine,” Dr. Bryant said.

Experts weigh in on declining flu vaccination rates

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccination rates have not been this low since before the pandemic. Unfortunately, there were racial disparities in vaccination rates last year.

Overall, 57% of children and teens were vaccinated last flu season, which was similar to the Feb. 22, 2021 season but lower than in 2019-2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Nearly 63% of the season.

Last year, only 49% of black children were vaccinated against the flu, while 51% of white children were vaccinated. Meanwhile, 60% of Hispanic children are vaccinated. Vaccination rates among children living in rural areas are lower than those in urban areas. In-hospital deaths are highest among Black, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander children.

“We are definitely seeing a troubling downward trend in vaccine acceptance,” said Ari Brown, MD, a pediatrician in Austin, Texas, and founder of the Baby 411 book series and parent education. “It’s possible that a variety of social factors are contributing to this decline in vaccine acceptance, but I hope that after living through the pandemic, we all know a little more about infectious diseases.” ”

In the early years of the pandemic, there were very few cases of influenza, Dr. Bryant said. “I suspect some parents no longer think about or worry about the flu,” she explained. But the past year has reminded us that protecting children from disease needs to be a top priority. “Across the United States, thousands of children have been hospitalized with influenza, and more than 190 children have died from influenza-related complications,” Dr. Bryant reported.

Even with the eye-opening evidence presented in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings, there are still parents who are unsure whether to vaccinate their children. Dr. Brown’s message to families: “I hope people are motivated to protect themselves and their loved ones. As a pediatrician, I have always had a deep respect for how scary infectious diseases, including the flu, can be because I have cared for patients with this disease. Severely ill patients.

Dr Bennett added: “Flu vaccines have been around for many years and millions of doses have been given to children. The safety record is excellent.

Finally, Dr. Brown urged that since some people, including infants, cannot be vaccinated, they have to rely on others to protect themselves, and left us with these words: “My motto has always been, let’s prevent the preventable. “