Is my two-year-old too young for a flu shot?

Question:

Is my two-year-old too young for a flu shot?

Answer:

Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer responds: The single best way to protect your child against the flu is to get him or her vaccinated. A flu shot is recommended for children six months of age and older, so your child is not too young. In fact, children under two are at highest risk of influenza-related complications and death.

Check the facts and the science. There are a lot of unsubstantiated myths about the flu shot floating around: that it can make you sick or that it contains toxic chemicals. The influenza vaccine is very safe and it cannot cause the flu. It takes about two weeks to take full effect. The sooner you get the flu shot, the sooner you and your family are protected. Remember, children ages six months to nine receiving the seasonal flu vaccine for the first time need two doses to be protected, with a minimum interval of four weeks between doses.

Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, December 2013.