Should I have my baby vaccinated against flu? | Should I have my baby vaccinated?

Should I have my baby vaccinated against flu?

Approximately two million people in Germany fall ill with the “real” flu, called influenza, every year. Influenza is an infectious disease that is transmitted by the influenza virus A or B. The signs of the disease are very variable, but usually the flu starts very suddenly and the feeling of illness can be very pronounced.

Furthermore, high fever, chills, cough, rhinitis, severe headache and aching limbs can develop. Especially people who have a weakened immune system are at risk for further complications such as pneumonia and otitis media. In very rare cases this can also lead to meningitis.

For this reason, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends that people in certain risk groups should be vaccinated against influenza annually. Influenza vaccination for babies is recommended from the age of 6 months if they have a basic illness. This includes chronic metabolic, heart or circulatory diseases.

Healthy babies and toddlers do not necessarily have to be vaccinated against influenza. The pediatrician will point this out in individual cases. There is a special vaccine for children and adolescents aged 2-17 years.

It is a live vaccine that can be given as a nasal spray. Babies under two years of age receive the dead vaccine, which adults also receive, as half a dose.