When should I vaccinate my baby against influenza?

Winter is here, and one of the diseases with the highest circulation is influenza. Many moms wonder: When should I get my baby vaccinated against the flu?

Dr. Julissa Rodríguez Calderón, medical manager for the influenza vaccine at Sanofi Pasteur, highlighted the importance of vaccinating our little ones against influenza since children under five years of age are at greater risk of presenting complications since their immune system is not yet mature.

She specified that children between six months and eight years, who have never received the influenza vaccine, should receive two doses with four weeks between each one.

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At what age can I vaccinate my baby?

Dr. Rodríguez explained that the influenza vaccine is indicated from six months of age; for this reason, pregnant women must get vaccinated; in this way, they pass the antibodies to their babies; the vaccine can be applied in any trimester of pregnancy.

“Because we cannot vaccinate newborns, my recommendation is to vaccinate the pregnant woman; she can be vaccinated in any trimester of pregnancy. This would be the only opportunity that the baby has to be protected because the mother will pass antibodies to the little one who will not be able to receive the vaccine until he is six months old”.

The specialist also explained that due to the changes in pregnancy in the immune, cardiac, and respiratory systems, the risk of complications from influenza increases as pregnancy progresses.

“A pregnant woman has twice the risk of being hospitalized. If she has a problem such as asthma, she has ten times the risk of hospitalization, which will impact the little one. If we don’t vaccinate her, she’s two to four times more likely to have a stillbirth or have a low-weight baby born early”.

When does vaccination start?

The medical manager for the influenza vaccine at Sanofi Pasteur commented that it is advisable to apply the dose as soon as it is available to be well protected. This year, the vaccination campaign against influenza began on November 3.

“Ideally, it has to be as soon as possible. Right now, we still are on time, winter is just about to start, and that is when there is a greater circulation of the virus, we must protect the most vulnerable people, children under five years of age, patients over 60 years of age, and pregnant women”.

Preventive measures

Some measures to prevent getting the flu are frequent hand washing, avoiding closed places with little ventilation, keeping the little ones warm, and checking-ups with the pediatrician.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

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