This morning the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new policy statement, “Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2020-2021.
Here are the highlights:
Flu vaccines are critical, especially this season in decreasing the chance of catching the flu as well as decreasing chance of getting seriously sick and having compilations such as pneumonia. It is possible to have COVID-19 and flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses at the same time. Getting vaccinated for the flu will help decrease illness complications, co-infections and confusion when somebody in our community gets sick because symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are similar.
AAP and CDC are recommending flu vaccines as soon as possible for everyone 6 months of age and older. During the past flu season, 188 children and teens younger than 19 years died from complications associated with influenza, according to the (CDC).
As a pediatrician, my hope is that we see fewer of all illnesses this winter because of flu vaccines and the lessons we have learned and put in place to protect against COVID-19. And for day care and schools, many of the new hand washing and disinfecting protocols I hope will stick around for future winters to help prevent all illness in children.