The flu shot protects against influenza, a respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness. “Flu season” in the United States, when the influenza virus circulates at higher levels, is from around October to May, and people typically get vaccinated in those early months. Symptoms of the flu include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
There are many versions of the flu shot, including specific vaccines for people who are over 65 and a nasal spray best for younger children. The CDC recommends that everyone over six months old get the flu shot every year.
If your child is younger than six months old, they are not yet old enough to get the flu shot. To make sure they are still as protected as possible, make sure that every caregiver and everyone in your household is immunized. Young people are at high risk for flu complications, which can be life-threatening. You can reduce the likelihood of the flu being passed to your child by avoiding sick people and getting the vaccination yourself.
Once your child is six months old, it’s recommended that they be vaccinated against the flu every year. There are special instructions for children six months to eight years old, and your child may need two doses to be properly vaccinated. The second dose will come at least 28 days after the first dose, so it’s helpful to get the first dose early in flu season. Once they have had two doses of the vaccine, they will just need one per year.
Have a child who is allergic to eggs? Older wisdom advised caution regarding the flu vaccine due to egg protein present in the vaccine. However, recent updates to research on flu vaccine safety strongly suggest that this precaution is not needed. Those with an egg allergy can safely receive any flu vaccine they prefer.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health by Labcorp Clinical Team
A note on vaccines
Ovia Health by Labcorp is committed to providing evidence-based guidance and supporting families with trusted health information. Recent shifts and changes to vaccination recommendations and schedules for pregnant women, children, and infants have raised questions about the safety and efficacy. We continue to follow the guidance of leading medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians about vaccination safety and continued use. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to advise you on vaccination safety for pregnant women, infants, children, and the broader public.
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Sources
- “Which Flu Vaccine Should Children Get?” Healthy Children from the American Academy of Pediatrics. July, 28, 2025
- “Flu vaccines and people with egg allergy.” CDC. Centers for Disease Control. Sept. 17, 2024. Web
- Munoz, F. & Bryant, K. “The Flu: What parents need to know” Healthy Children from the American Academy of Pediatrics. 2/14/2025 just need one per year.
