At what age should a child receive the flu shot?

The recommendation for children to receive the flu shot begins at 6 months of age. This timing is crucial because infants younger than 6 months are not eligible for vaccination and are at a higher risk for severe illness from influenza due to their immature immune systems.

Starting from 6 months, children can receive the influenza vaccine annually, which is important for several reasons. The flu virus can mutate, making annual vaccination necessary to ensure that children are protected against the strains that are most likely to circulate in any given flu season. Additionally, children in this age group are particularly susceptible to flu-related complications and hospitalizations, making timely vaccination essential for their health.

While children younger than 3 years are also encouraged to get vaccinated, the key age to initiate vaccination is at 6 months, ensuring they have an opportunity to build immunity before flu season peaks. This emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated at the correct developmental stage to provide effective protection.