FAQ: Flu Shots for Children

Infants can get the flu vaccine from the age of six months. The vaccine should then be administered every year.

The flu vaccine provide immunization for about six months, and the types of the flu virus vary from year to year. Therefore, the vaccines produced before the start of flu season are adapted to the strains of flu that are expected to be the most common in the upcoming season.

• The flu vaccines are administered in the HMOs free of charge.
• Pupils in second, third and fourth grades will receive the vaccine in school, free of charge.

More about the vaccines administered in schools

• Inactivated vaccine: contains killed flu viruses of strains that are expected to be common in the upcoming season. This vaccine is administered from the age of six months and until the age of 3 by injection into the thigh, and after the age of 3, by injection to the arm.
• Live-attenuated vaccine: contains live-attenuated flu viruses of strains expected to be common in the upcoming season. This vaccine is administered from the age of two through nasal spray. In addition to systematic protection, this vaccine also provides local protection of the nasal and oral mucosa, through which the virus is contracted.

Both types of vaccines are recommended by the Ministry of Health.

One winter. You need to get the vaccine in the fall or early winter to be prepared for the upcoming flu season.

No. The flu vaccines cannot trigger the disease:

• Inactivated vaccine: contains only the residue of the virus and cannot multiply within the body and cause the disease.
• Live-attenuated vaccine: contains attenuated viruses that cannot multiply at the body’s internal temperature and therefore cannot cause the disease. However, the live-attenuated vaccine will not be administered to any person with a compromised immune system (such as cancer patients, pregnant women, and so on), or to anyone who came into contact with a person who is severely immunosuppressed.

Most children can receive the flu vaccine. Below are circumstances in which the vaccine is not administered:

• If you have a disease that is accompanied by high fever. In this case, the vaccine can be administered only the recovery.
• If an acute allergic reaction had occurred after the flu vaccine was administered (in case the allergic reaction was mild – the vaccine can be administered).
• If the child has asthma or a chronic or prolonged illness, or was recently treated for the flu – consult the vaccinating nurse.

For most children, one dose of the vaccine is enough.

Anyone who has not been vaccinated against the flu by the age of 9 – will receive 2 doses of the vaccine in the first year, with an interval of at least 4 weeks between the first dose and the second dose.

In the following years – he or she will receive only one dose of the vaccine.

The flu vaccine is considered safe and effective. The largest study of its kind in the United States, conducted in 2001-2003 on over 40,000 babies and toddlers aged 6 to 23 months, reviewed requests for medical intervention following administration of the flu vaccine. The study found very few requests for medical intervention and that none of those were serious.

Side effects may occur following the vaccination, but they are generally mild and disappear after two or three days.

Possible side effects after getting an inactivated vaccine

Swelling, redness and pain at the injection site – you can place a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water on the injection site. Avoid massaging the area.

Fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue and hoarseness – you can use a medication to reduce fever or relieve pain.

Possible side effects after getting a live-attenuated vaccine

Runny nose, congested nose, nosebleed, sore throat, fever, cough, muscle pain, headache, stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, chills, exhaustion – you can use a medication to reduce fever or relieve pain.

Very rare side effects

Nervous system syndromes (Bell’s palsy, Guillain-Barre), immediate allergic reaction such as anaphylactic shock.

More on side effects following vaccination

• Inactivated vaccine: composed of killed viruses that cannot cause disease, and it is therefore impossible for anyone who was vaccinated to infect another person.
• Live-attenuated vaccine: may endanger a person who is severely immunocompromised. If children are vaccinated with a live-attenuated vaccine, it is important that they do not come into contact with people who are severely immunocompromised (people who need an environment free from viruses and bacteria) for 7 days after the vaccination.

• Children who are allergic to milk, egg whites and peanuts can receive the vaccine.
• Children who suffered a severe allergic reaction after receiving the flu vaccine cannot receive the vaccine.