A yearly vaccine is the best way to protect against flu for everyone 6 months or older. Yearly flu vaccinations have been shown to reduce flu illness, doctor’s visits, missed school days among school-age children, and the risk of flu-related hospitalizations and even death.
Flu season usually occurs in the fall and winter, peaking from December to February, and the best time to get vaccinated is as soon as an updated vaccine is available.
Some children between 6 months and 8 years will need two doses of the vaccine if they are getting vaccinated for the first time, have previously received only one dose of the flu vaccine, or if their flu vaccination history is unknown. Healthcare providers can consider early vaccination, starting July or August, for children going back to school or for any other person unable to be vaccinated later. You can still get vaccinated later in the year to be protected.
Flu vaccines can be administered as a shot — an injectable dose approved for 6 months and older — or as a nasal spray (no needles used and approved for ages 2 up to 49 years old).
The good news is you and your child can get vaccinated together. And your CalPERS health plan covers vaccines at no cost to you.
What Are the Risks of Getting Ill?
Millions of children get sick with seasonal flu each year, and thousands are hospitalized — some children even die from it. Children younger than 5 years old, especially those younger than 2, and children of any age who live with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, etc., are at higher risk of developing potentially serious flu complications that often come on suddenly.
About 70% of children between ages 0 and 17 years old who were hospitalized with the flu during the 2023-2024 flu season had at least one underlying condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Additionally, between the 2010-2011 and 2022-2023 flu seasons, the CDC estimates there were 6,000 to 25,000 annual flu-related hospitalizations of children younger than 5 years.
While death is rare, some flu-related complications such as pneumonia can be life-threatening among children and can result in death. CDC data indicate flu-related deaths among children ranged from about 37 to 199 deaths per year during regular flu seasons between the 2004-2005 season and the 2022-2023 season. Notably, about 80% of children who died from flu-related illness were not fully vaccinated against the flu. However, the actual number of flu-related deaths is likely higher because not all flu-related deaths are captured and reported to the CDC.
What Are the Emergency Warning Signs for Children?
Among children, emergency warning signs of flu complications include fast breathing or trouble breathing, ribs pulling in with each breath, dehydration (no urine for eight hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying), bluish lips or bluish face, seizures, fever or cough that improves but returns or worsens, not alert or interacting when awake, and worsening of chronic conditions.
Children older than 5 years who are otherwise healthy can also get the flu and spread it to at-risk family members such as infants, those with chronic health conditions, and adults 65 years or older.
Where Can Children Get Their Flu Vaccines?
Children can get their vaccines at their doctor’s office. Your CalPERS health plan covers vaccines at no cost to you.
Your health plan may have additional locations where you can get your vaccines, such as your local pharmacy. Please contact your local pharmacy or your health plan for more information.
Additionally, your local county offices may offer flu vaccine clinics.