Hope and Health

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Hope & Health
Articles and Updates from WVU Medicine Children's

11/4/2024 | Rafka Chaiban , MD, MHCM, FAAP

Should My Child Receive the Flu Vaccine?

It’s that time of year: flu season is upon us, and the flu vaccine is more accessible than ever.

As a pediatrician and a mom, I frequently get asked, “Should my child receive the flu vaccine?”

The answer is a resounding,“YES.”

I also vaccinate my own children. Both have asthma, and this decision is supported by scientific data.

During the 2023-2024 flu season, 66 percent of children ages 0 to 17 who were hospitalized with the flu had at least one underlying health condition, such as asthma, neurologic disease, obesity, or cardiovascular disease.

Last year, 80 percent of flu-related deaths occurred in unvaccinated children.

The influenza virus can cause a variety of symptoms, including high fever, headaches, body aches, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and vomiting. While these symptoms can be significant and last a long time, the more serious concern is the potential complications that can arise during the infection.

Certain groups are at a higher risk for developing flu-related complications, including young children under two, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions like asthma and heart disease, as well as individuals with weakened immune systems.

Given all this, we need to protect our children, and the flu vaccine is the SMART choice to do so.

Here are some important facts:

The flu vaccine is safe. It is updated each year to match the viruses that scientists predict will be most common in the upcoming season. The vaccine will not cause your child to get the flu. Children who have an allergy to eggs should still receive the flu shot, but always discuss with your primary care provider.
The flu vaccine is effective. While the vaccine may not always match perfectly with the flu viruses present in the community, it can still strengthen your child’s immune system. Vaccinating children reduces their risk of flu related hospitalization by 74 percent.
The flu vaccine can save other lives. The more people who are vaccinated, the less likely the flu will spread in daycares, households, and communities. By vaccinating your family, you not only protect them but also those around them. If your child is six months or older, please schedule a visit with your primary care provider.

You can book an appointment through the MyWVUChart app, online at WVUKids.com, or by calling 855-WVU-CARE.

About the Author

Rafka Chaiban, MD, MHCM, FAAP, is the associate chief quality officer of WVU Medicine Children’s. She is also the medical director of pediatric ambulatory clinics and vice chair of pediatric ambulatory operations.  

WVU Medicine Children’s has benefitted from Dr. Chaiban’s leadership at several different facilities. She began her early career as a pediatrician in Lebanon. Upon arriving in West Virginia, Chaiban was a neonatal intensive care unit hospitalist at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center. She also served as the chief of pediatrics at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital Children’s Clinic before coming to Morgantown to take charge of our ambulatory clinics.  

Chaiban received her medical degree from the University of Balamand in Achrafieh, Lebanon, and completed her residency at WVU Hospitals. She also holds a master’s in healthcare management from the Harvard T.H. Chang School of Public Health. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and licensed in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  

See all blogs by Rafka Chaiban , MD, MHCM, FAAP