Guess what? Flu vaccines do not cause the flu

Believe it or not, the 2017–2018 flu season is around the corner. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is sending a reminder that the best way to protect your children from the virus is with a flu vaccine.

“Flu vaccines are safe and do not contribute to catching the flu,” said David Wanderman, MD, a Stanford Medicine Children’s Health pediatrician at the Peninsula Pediatric Medical Group in Burlingame. “In fact, the vaccine is actually a killed virus, so it cannot cause the flu.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issued their annual Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children. Here are the highlights for the 2017–2018 flu season:

• An annual seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for everyone who is 6 months or older, including children and adolescents. This is especially important for children who are at a high risk of influenza complications, including those with asthma, diabetes mellitus and compromised immune systems.
• As with last year, the Flumist nasal spray is not recommended because it was ineffective at preventing the flu in past years.
• Children should receive the vaccine as soon as possible in their community, preferably in October.
• Pregnant women may be vaccinated for the flu at any time in their pregnancy.

Flu shots are available for Stanford Medicine Children’s Health patients in locations across the Bay Area. If you live in the South Bay and are registered with Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, several South Bay locations are offering Saturday appointments so patients can make a quick trip in and out of the doctor’s office to receive the flu shot.