While COVID-19 continues to circulate and threaten public health, experts warn of an intense flu season in 2022. To protect the children, some kids may need more than one flu shot this year.
According to NBC News, a double dose of the flu shot is not a new health directive. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been pushing for this recommendation amid the existing COVID-19 scare and the relaxed restrictions.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also supports the same recommendations following reports of an upcoming bad flu season, based on what took place in Australia's winter scare.
As of the end of August, some 218,000 influenza cases have been lodged with Australia's Department of Health, their highest in the last five years. Experts believe that the same flu situation in the Southern Hemisphere can follow in the Western Hemisphere.
How will parents know if their children need two flu shots?
According to the AAP, children between 6 months to 8 years old, who have yet to get vaccinated against the flu will need to double up this year. Kids whose last single dose of the flu shot was more than a year ago will have to get two shots before flu season peaks between December to February.
For maximum protection, the two flu shots must be given a month apart. The CDC said two doses could bring better results especially since fewer children have had their flu shots in the last two years or were exposed to the flu various due to the lockdowns and restrictions.
Pediatrician Dr. Kristina Bryant said in a statement from the AAP that parents should "never underestimate" flu season as this can wreak havoc on the family's routines and schedules, as well as lead to serious medical conditions, including death.
According to Today, children may receive their flu shot at the same time as their COVID-19 vaccine or booster. Pregnant moms should also get inoculated as flu vaccines are largely known to be safe for mothers with children and the baby in their wombs.
The AAP added that parents must also talk to their children's pediatrician or family doctor for the best advice and guidance regarding flu vaccines.
The most ideal time to get flu shots
Influenza expert Dr. Florian Krammer, however, advised against getting a flu shot too early before flu season. Though she understands the popular recommendations from the CDC and the AAP to get jabs by September, Krammer said that the protective benefits of an influenza vaccine usually work for a solid four months.
Studies have also shown that the effectiveness of flu shots drops by 18 percent after 28 days. Emily Martin, a professor of epidemiology, said that it's better to get the flu shot at the end of October, while Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease director, thinks the ideal time would be in late October to early November, per Stat News.
"Typically we see a rise in cases in the middle of December," Osterholm said. "By then the antibody response should have kicked in."
