How to Address Common Concerns

Medical Providers: Use the talking points below to help you address common flu vaccine concerns among parents.

Flu vaccines are made with killed or weakened viruses that cannot give you the flu.
Sometimes the body’s immune response after vaccination can make some people feel a little ill, and that’s normal.
For example, some kids may get a slight fever, but that’s
their body building antibodies to protect them from flu

Many other germs cause symptoms similar to flu–your child might have caught one of them.
Flu vaccine takes 2 weeks to work. Your child may have caught flu/a virus before developing immunity.
Flu vaccines do not prevent 100% of all flu infections; however, if your child catches the flu, it will be much less severe.

Flu is very serious and can cause pneumonia, hospitalization, and death.
Without the flu vaccine, your child has zero added protection if he/she gets exposed. It’s not worth the risk. Healthy children who were vaccinated lowered their chance of dying from flu by 65%. That’s pretty remarkable.
A recent study suggests that flu vaccine protected most kids against severe disease even when the vaccine wasn’t a perfect match for the virus.

Flu viruses mutate constantly, changing yearly.
Every year, healthy kids catch the flu before, some for the first time.
About half of the children who are hospitalized or die from the flu each year are healthy before catching the flu.
Flu can spread easily at school, while playing with friends, or being out in the community.
Share your decision: “I got my flu shot. I also immunized my kids. As your doctor/nurse, I want your family to also be protected.
Scarlet died from flu complications at age 5; to her mother’s regret, she was not vaccinated. Watch Scarlet’s Flu Story and share with clinic staff and parents.

Vaccines, like any medication, can cause side effects. Most flu shot effects are mild, for example pain or redness in the arm.
Vaccines have been rigorously tested, studied, and monitored to ensure they are safe.
This should go away quickly. If you have any concerns after getting vaccinated, please call us.

Flu vaccine with or without thimerosal is safe and effective.
Flu vaccine for children usually does not contain thimerosal.
If parents are still concerned, you can show this 3 minute video: Is there Mercury in Vaccines? by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Flu viruses are not the same as a cold. When a person catches the flu, they often have a fever and body aches; most also have to miss days of work or school. When complications set in, flu can be life-threatening. While babies, pregnant women, those with certain health conditions, and seniors are at highest risk, even healthy children can die from flu.
Last season, flu sent 15 million Americans to the doctor, 400,000 were hospitalized and 17,000 people died, including 200 children.

If available, offer the LAIV (nasal spray) flu vaccine.
Let younger children sit in their parents’ laps; practice comforting techniques. Suggest the parent bring a favorite snack, book or toy for comfort.
Allow an older child to listen to music and ask them to take deep breaths.
Reassure the parent and their child so they keep calm, and be honest about the pinch.
Be supportive and offer praise. You can say: “I know you seemed worried about your visit today, but you did it! You were so brave! Maybe it will even get a little easier next time.

“Why does my child need both flu and COVID vaccines?”

Flu and COVID-19 are both circulating. Since both diseases can be serious, I recommend getting both vaccines.
Both the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine have been updated recently for the most commonly circulating virus types.
Vaccinating keeps you/your child and other vulnerable people in our community (e.g., pregnant women, babies, elders, people on chemotherapy) protected from the most severe complications of the disease.

“We use healthy foods, vitamins or natural remedies to boost our immunity.”

Good nutrition is very important to your child’s general health. In addition, vaccines provide powerful protection against the germs that cause influenza (or COVID viruses).
Flu vaccines have been tested and proven to be effective in preventing severe disease.

Updated 11/2024

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