Without a doubt, any circumstance that occurs this fall winter must be passed through the filter of the pandemic. We mean that the same is happening with the flu vaccine and the recommendations that should be followed to give it to the little ones. Every year the Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Pediatric Association publishes its recommendations at the beginning of the autumn season, of which we make a summary.
However, and since this committee is in favor of flu vaccination, it understands that this measure should be taken accordingly. in accordance with the official recommendations of public health authorities, because it is a priority to guarantee the supply of vaccines for the elderly and groups at risk of serious infection by influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
Recommendations for vaccinating children against influenza
Surely you have the main ones in your head flu symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, as well as muscle aches and headaches. Some of these symptom They are also caused by COVID-19, which can cause alarm in many families. Like the coronavirus, to this we must add that it is a highly contagious infectious disease, which in the most severe cases is associated with respiratory difficulties or pneumonia.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics consider vaccinated flu in the following cases:
- Children from 6 months of age and adolescents with underlying illnesses that pose an increased risk of complications from the flu.
- Children from 6 months who live with patients at risk.
- People who live with children under 6 months.
- All healthcare professionals.
- Pregnant, both for your protection and that of the fetus.
Flu Vaccinate Children older than 6 months, not included in risk groups is a recommended measure, since this preventive practice provides the child with individual protection and favors family and community protection. The Spanish Society of Out-of-hospital Pediatrics and Primary Care (SEPEAP) recommends universal flu vaccination starting at 6 months due to the coincidence with COVID-19 this winter.
How and where is the flu shot given?
You have to get the flu vaccine every year, because viruses change and the vaccine must be adapted. Children between 6 months and 8 years of age need 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart, the first year they are vaccinated. From the first year, the rest of the years is an annual dose. Boys and girls from 9 years of age and adolescents, always 1 dose per season, even if it is the first time they use it. It is applied by pricking it on the thigh or the arm, depending on the age.
As for where, the situation generated by the pandemic has forced certain readjustments in the health system. Administering flu vaccines is the responsibility of the autonomous communities. Each has established its own appointment systems in Primary Care centers.
But there have also been changes, for example, in Granada, before families with school-age children saw how children health workers came to schools and vaccinated there. But this year the immunization of children is being done in health centers.
Is there a relationship between the flu vaccine and COVID-19?
A piece of news related to a study appeared in certain media in June: Possible cause of the coronavirus pandemic. Immune interference between Polysorbate 80 from the adjuvanted influenza vaccine and SARS-CoV-2, in which it was suggested that the flu vaccine could interfere with the immune response to the coronavirus.
From the Spanish Society of Immunology, its president, stressed in different media that there is no scientific evidence that supports the relationship between flu vaccination and the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19 disease.
Some critical that are made to the study from the scientific community is that they raise a series of assumptions that are not verified, the statistical analysis is lacking, and criteria for the selection of study groups. These issues and others mean that it is not considered a reliable scientific study.