Flu Shot for Children & Parents

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This web site addresses seasonal influenza

For more information regarding 2009 H1N1 flu, please visit: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Parents and Children

Help Keep Your Family and Yourself Influenza Free

Influenza is more dangerous for children than most parents realize. In fact, in the past few influenza seasons, an average of 94 children have died each year from influenza.³ And each year, about 20,000 children under 5 years of age are hospitalized because of the disease and its complications.^4,5

Olympic Gold Medalist and mother Kristi Yamaguchi has committed to keeping herself and her family healthy and protected from influenza. She schedules flu shots for the entire family each year.

"When my daughter Emma was born, my doctor gave me a flu vaccination before I left the hospital to help prevent spreading this serious disease to my newborn infant," said Kristi. “Since then, I make sure we all get vaccinated every year. This includes my husband, my two daughters, and even the grandparents in our family.”

A flu shot is a safe and effective way to help protect infants and children from contracting the influenza virus. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children from 6 months-18 years of age get a flu shot.¹

The CDC also recommends children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, get the vaccine. This is especially important for children younger than 5 years of age with these conditions, as such children are 5 times more likely to be hospitalized with influenza-related illnesses than healthy children in the same age range.^4,5

Along with children, vaccination against the flu is important for the rest of the household. This includes parents, grandparents, siblings, and even the babysitter. Flu vaccination for the whole family is especially important if you have a child younger than 6 months of age in the house, since children this age are too young for the flu vaccine.

Pregnant women are also at risk for serious flu-related complications. Getting the vaccine can help protect them as well as their unborn child from the influenza virus.¹

Did you know?

Portrait Gallery

Kristi Yamaguchi

National Spokesperson

Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi takes her career as a figure skater seriously. Yet, since her victory on "Dancing with the Stars," and experience as an American role model, she has taken on an even more serious role in life – her family. As the mother of two young children, Kristi knows that influenza immunization is a must for everyone in her family.
Christina Fry and Rick Cerett

Family of Infant Marques Jackson, Who Died at 6 Months of Age From Influenza-related Complications

When infant Marques Jackson passed away from influenza-related complications, his mother Christina Fry and grandfather Rick Cerett became crusaders for yearly vaccination for parents, children, and caretakers.
Diane and Mike McGowan

Parents of Martin McGowan Who Died of Influenza-related Complications at 15 Years of Age

Diane and Michael McGowan's healthy 15-year-old son Martin died from complications as a result of the flu in 2005. "One flu shot could have saved his life," says Diane.
Richard and Alissa Kanowitz

Parents of Amanda Kanowitz, Who Died From Influenza-related Complications at Age 4

When Richard and Alissa Kanowitz lost their daughter Amanda to influenza-related complications in 2004, they decided to do everything they could to save other families from enduring similar heartbreak.
LaShell Griffin

Singer and Mother of Five

Singing since she was 13, LaShell Griffin's life has changed significantly after beating out 15,000 contestants and winning the "Oprah Winfrey Pop Star Challenge" in 2004. Yet, her main focus is her role as a wife and mother of 5 children.
Jessica Polakow

Mother-to-Be

When she posed for this portrait, Jessica Polakow was about to become a mother for the very first time. She made sure she was vaccinated against influenza because she knew pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized from complications of influenza than non-pregnant women of the same age.¹⁰
Lylan Bui

Daughter of Tri and Trinh Bui

When Lylan reached 6 months of age, her mother Trinh made sure Lylan was immunized against influenza because she knows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual influenza vaccination for children 6 months-18 years of age.¹
Eva Quiroz and Jasper Quiroz-Hansen

Working Mother of Two, and Her Son

Even with her husband's help, Eva Quiroz's free time is limited. But her family's health is her top priority, no matter how busy she gets. Eva knows influenza is a potentially life-threatening disease, so she schedules her family's vaccination appointments with their doctor every year.
Julie Moise

Mother of Ian, Who Died From Influenza-related Complications at 6 1/2 Months of Age Also Living With Asthma

Julie Moise lost her 6 1/2-month-old son, Ian, to influenza-related complications in 2003, just 2 days after he was diagnosed with the disease.
Zack Yaksich

Father Who Lost His 5-year-old Daughter to Influenza-related Complications

In February 2003, tragedy struck Zack and his family when his 5-year-old daughter Alana passed away because of influenza. Alana had not been vaccinated against the disease, but Zack and his wife now make sure their entire family gets immunized every year.
Delicia “Dee Dee” Abdur-Rahim

Mother of Two and Wife of Sacramento Kings Assistant Coach Shareef Abdur-Rahim

“When I spoke with my doctor, she said that because my son Jabri has asthma, he is much more vulnerable to developing serious complications from influenza. I made sure he got his flu shot after that conversation,” Dee Dee said.
Heidi Kinsella

Wife, Mother of 2, and School Teacher

Being in close contact with so many children every day, Heidi knows that germs and viruses can spread easily among kids and even to their friends, families, and others. That’s why she makes getting vaccinated against influenza a priority for herself and her family every year.