A few days ago the flu vaccination campaign has begun in different parts of our geography, but it is not about vaccines that have to reach the entire population. In the case of children and adolescents, there are certain Influenza vaccination recommendations in childhood.
Out of those risk cases, in principle there is no reason to administer vaccines to young children, although specialists point out that children older than six months (younger babies cannot receive the vaccine) not included in risk groups can be vaccinated against seasonal flu if your parents request it or your pediatrician deems it appropriate.
These are tips written by the Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics for vaccination against seasonal flu 2010-2011, focused on childhood and adolescence.
In them, they remind us that vaccination against seasonal flu is a particularly beneficial strategy when it is aimed at people, children and adults, which are included in population groups considered at risk.
These risk groups belong to those children who, due to the underlying illness they suffer from or due to the treatment they receive, in the case of suffering from influenza virus infection, may suffer more serious forms of the disease, with a increased complications and with a higher overall mortality.
In relation to childhood and adolescence, the Vaccine Advisory Committee recommends influenza vaccination in:
Vaccines for children over 6 months and adolescents (risk groups)
In the following situations or underlying diseases, influenza vaccination would be recommended:
Chronic respiratory disease (including asthma and bronchial hyperreactivity).
Chronic cardiovascular disease.
Chronic metabolic disease (diabetes ...).
Chronic kidney or liver disease.
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Individuals with immunosuppression or immunodeficiency (congenital or acquired).
Functional or anatomical asplenia.
Oncological diseases
Chronic neuromuscular disease and moderate and severe encephalopathies.
Moderate-severe hematological diseases.
Malnutrition
Morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 3 standard deviations).
Sd. of Down and other severe chromosomopathies.
Children and adolescents (from 6 months to 18 years) under continuous treatment with acetylsalicylic acid.
Pregnancy (teenagers)
Other recommendations for flu vaccination
It would also be advisable to administer the flu vaccine for children older than 6 months and adolescents without basic pathology but living with patients (children or adults) belonging to the previous risk groups.
All adults who are household contacts (cohabitants or caregivers) of children, adolescents or adults belonging to risk groups should also be vaccinated against seasonal flu.
Babies under six months cannot receive the vaccine, so it is especially important to vaccinate the family environment when there are infants under 6 months of age with risk factors.
The AEP reminds us that influenza vaccination in all these patients and in their home contacts represents an obvious benefit and constitutes an unquestionable health offer.
They also claim the involvement of health personnel, health authorities and all social agents, to transmit to the population, and especially to the parents of children and adolescents belonging to the risk groups. vaccination recommendations against seasonal flu.
Annually, the World Health Organization establishes the influenza virus strains that these vaccines must contain. This year, the seasonal flu vaccine includes the H1N1 influenza virus that appeared in 2009, and as we know it has practically gone unnoticed in our environment.
In any case, we hope that these recommendations have clarified if It is convenient or not to vaccinate your children, and we remind you that if in doubt, it is best to speak directly with the pediatrician.
