Being a parent during the height of the cold and flu season can be really challenging. Navigating sick kids, keeping a clean house and calling in to work yet again because your youngest spiked a fever in the middle of the night can have us all dreaming of the warmer months ahead.

No one wants their children to get sick at this time of year, but it is incredibly common as so many different infections are circulating at any given time. Certain resources, like the flu vaccine, are a great tool to help keep your kids healthy throughout the season.

Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Hickory, and we can vaccinate your whole family against influenza! We explain why getting vaccinated is so important below.

Who Can Get the Flu Shot?

Anyone over the age of 6 months is encouraged to get the flu shot. It has been studied for many years and has been shown to be incredibly safe and effective at preventing illness. The only considerations you will have to take is if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, but your provider will go over those with you before you get your shot.

The flu vaccine is reformulated every year to offer the greatest protection against the current flu strains, which is why your entire family should get the new shot every fall season. While some of you may be immune to last year’s strain if you got sick, you probably aren’t immune to these current strains!

Reasons Why Kids Should Get the Flu Shot

• It reduces risk of death or serious illness due to the flu.
• It can reduce the number of sick days if they do get the flu.
• It protects other children who cannot get the vaccine.
• It can keep any symptoms mild.

Do Kids Get Really Sick From the Flu?

While we are grateful that the majority of flu cases stay mild and never progress to serious situations, there is always the chance that your child will experience a severe infection. Children’s breathing passages and airways are naturally smaller than an adult’s, so any sort of inflammation in that area can cause difficulty breathing.

Seek medical attention as soon as you recognize that your child is experiencing respiratory distress. That may look like shallow, rapid breathing, blue lips or loss of consciousness or confusion. You don’t want your babies to get sick at all, let alone seriously ill! Come see us for a quick flu shot any day of the week.

How to Prioritize Your Health This Season

• Get your annual flu shot.
• Teach proper handwashing.
• Avoid others if they are sick.
• Eat well and stay hydrated.
• Make sleep a priority for everyone.

We want you to stay as healthy as possible this season. Stop by AFC Urgent Care Hickory for your flu shot.