As flu season approaches, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that everyone who is at least six months old get an influenza vaccine.
In a flu policy for the 2021-22 season released Tuesday, the academy said flu vaccination is particularly important “to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the burden of respiratory illnesses,” as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. COVID-19 cases were still increasing in the U.S., as of Sept. 3, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“As we continue to face another year of the COVID-19 pandemic, timely influenza vaccination of all persons 6 months of age and older, is a priority this year,” said Flor M. Munoz, a lead author of the policy statement. “This is particularly important for anyone who has medical conditions that increase the risk for complications for both influenza and COVID-19, including children.”
During the last flu season, transmission of the virus was unusually low, said the CDC.
COVID-19 pandemic-related mitigation measures such as wearing face masks, staying home, hand washing, school closures, reduced travel, increased ventilation of indoor spaces, and physical distancing, likely contributed to this decline.
However, many regions of the country no longer have strict pandemic mitigations in place and doctors are concerned that simultaneous circulation both viruses could overwhelm hospitals. Information about mitigation policies by state is available through the Kaiser Family Foundation.
“Any licensed, recommended, age-appropriate vaccine available can be administered, without preference for one product or formulation over another,” said the AAP flu policy for this year.
While flu vaccines can be administered simultaneously with or any time before or after administration of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines, it is unknown if the reactogenicity – the inflammatory response reactions following a shot – of COVID-19 vaccines is impacted by flu vaccines.
Related
Children who are already suspected to have or have confirmed influenza “who are hospitalized, have severe or progressive disease, or have underlying conditions that increase their risk of flu complications,” should take antivirals, said the AAP. Antivirals also can be considered for any previously healthy, symptomatic outpatient who is not at high risk if treatment can be initiated within 48 hours of illness onset.
“Children who have acute moderate or severe COVID-19 should not receive influenza vaccine until they have recovered. Those with mild illness can be vaccinated,” said the academy. If a child has had a previous allergic reaction after a dose of any other influenza vaccine, they should be evaluated by an allergist before receiving a vaccine.
According to the AAP, there are safe vaccine options for people with egg allergies, pregnant women, postpartum women and breastfeeding women.
Related
