Health Library

How Many Doses Do Kids Need?

Here’s what the flu vaccine means for most kids:

• Kids under 9 years old need 2 doses if:
  • They’ve never had the flu vaccine or have had the vaccine only once in a past flu season.
• Kids under 9 years old need only 1 dose if:
  • They’ve had 2 doses of flu vaccine in past flu seasons given at least 4 weeks apart. The doses could have been given in the same season or different seasons.
• Kids 9 years and older need only 1 dose.

Talk to your doctor about how many doses your child needs.

What Are the Types of Flu Vaccines?

Two types of flu vaccine are available:

• the flu shot, which is injected with a needle
• the nasal spray, a mist that gets sprayed into the nostrils

Both protect against the four types of influenza virus that are causing disease this season.

The nasal spray is only for healthy people ages 2–49. People with weak immune systems or some health conditions and pregnant women should not get the nasal spray vaccine. It should also be avoided in kids who need to take aspirin, who have a cochlear implant, or who have recently taken antiviral medicine for the flu.

Where Can My Family Get the Flu Vaccine?

The flu vaccine usually is available at:

• doctors’ offices
• public, employee, and university health clinics
• most drug stores
• some supermarkets and big-box stores
• some community groups or centers
• some schools

The nasal spray flu vaccine is available to order online and give at home. 

What Are the Possible Side Effects of the Flu Vaccine?

Both types of vaccine can cause mild side effects.

• The flu shot usually is given as an injection in the upper arm or thigh (depending on a person’s age). It contains killed flu virus and can’t cause someone to get the flu. But it can cause soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Rarely, it might cause a low fever or body aches.
• The nasal spray flu vaccine contains weakened live flu viruses. So, it may cause mild cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or tiredness. Like the shot, it can sometimes cause a low fever or body aches. But the weakened virus isn’t strong enough to grow in the lungs, so it will not cause serious illness.

Very rarely, the flu vaccine can cause a serious allergic reaction.

Caring for Your Child After the Flu Vaccine

Sometimes, people faint after getting a shot, especially teens. It helps to sit or lie down for 15 minutes right after a shot to prevent this.

If your child has any side effects, talk to your doctor about giving either acetaminophen or ibuprofen and to find out the right dose.

A warm, damp cloth or a heating pad on the injection site may help ease soreness, as can moving or using the arm or leg.

When to Delay or Avoid the Flu Vaccine

Simple colds or other minor illnesses should not prevent vaccination, but your doctor might choose to reschedule the vaccine if your child has a more serious illness.

Talk to your doctor about whether the vaccine is a good idea if your child:

• has ever had a severe allergic reaction, or any allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine
• has had Guillain-Barré syndrome

In the past, people with an egg allergy had to check with their doctor about whether the flu vaccine was OK for them because it’s grown inside eggs. But health experts now say that the amount of egg protein in the vaccine is so tiny that it’s safe even for kids with a severe egg allergy. People with egg allergies can now get the flu vaccine just like everyone else. They do not need to take any extra precautions .

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call your doctor if your child:

• is sick and has a fever, and you aren’t sure whether to reschedule the vaccine
• has problems after the vaccine