Doctors Strongly Recommend Children Get Flu Shot

(Augusta) - Regina Hand makes sure her 18 month old son, Luke, gets a flu shot.

“We feel like it’s something we need to for my children so that’s why I do it,” said Hand.

Her five year old has also been vaccinated against the flu, since birth. Doctors recommend that children 6 months to 18 years old be vaccinated against the flu.

In Colorado and Massachusetts, several children have died from the flu. At least one had no underlying health problems.

Hand: “I work in the medical field and have heard a lot of rumors, a lot of controversy about whether you should do it or not, but I chose to do it for my children because Dr. Becton and her practice recommends it.”

Symptoms of the flu include general achiness, upper respiratory symptoms, cough and fever.

Doctor Elizabeth Becton says there is a lot misinformation about getting the flu shot. But she says this is a fact.

Dr. Becton: “The flu vaccine is not going to make you sick. Flu vaccine is going to protect you.“

Dr. Becton: “Small children do not have a lot of physical reserve, as far as their health status, just like the elderly do not have a lot of reserve, and so any illness can kind of tip them over into a danger zone.”

Dr. Becton says in our area the flu is at the worst of what we’ll see. There are two flu vaccines available, a shot and a live vaccine administered through the nose. It works a little faster.

Dr. Becton says when school starts, ask your doctor about getting your child a flu shot.

Dr. Becton: “If people are interested in it, I would never tell somebody, ‘no; there’s no point in getting it.‘ My main message is to put it on the calendar for next year.”