The flu shot can help protect your child from getting the flu, which can make kids very sick. For the best protection, your child should get a flu vaccine every year in the fall.

After getting the flu shot, some kids have mild side effects for 1–2 days. They might have soreness around the area of the shot, a headache, achiness, or a slight fever. These reactions aren't as bad as the flu, which can make people sick for as long as 2 weeks and can have serious complications.

• Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for: 
  • When your child needs a flu vaccine
  • If your child needs to come back for another flu vaccine
  • When to follow up
• If your child is uncomfortable from a fever, and your healthcare provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often. 
• Don't give your child aspirin. It can cause Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

Your child has a lot of pain, redness, or swelling at the shot site.

Your child has signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hoarseness, wheezing, trouble breathing, hives, swelling of the face, looking pale, or feeling very weak or dizzy.

How does a flu vaccine help protect my child against the flu? Your body responds to the flu vaccine by creating antibodies that start working about 2 weeks after you get the vaccine. Antibodies are special proteins that lock onto germs to keep a person from getting sick. These antibodies help protect your child during flu season.

Can the flu shot give my child the flu? No, your child cannot get the flu from the flu shot. But the flu shot doesn't prevent every strain of flu. Kids who come in contact with a strain of flu that is not in the vaccine may become ill even though they had the flu shot.

Can my child get the nasal spray vaccine in the future? Yes, if it is appropriate for their age and health status. The nasal spray vaccine works equally as well as the shot and can be given to healthy children over 2 years old.