Get Children Vaccinated for Influenza

A MINUTE OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Get Children Vaccinated for Influenza
Influenza Vaccination Coverage of Children Aged 6-23 months United States,
September-December, 2005–06 Influenza Season
September 21, 2007

This program is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier
people.

The flu, or influenza, is a serious illness. Each year, over 200,000 Americans are
hospitalized and over 36,000 die from the flu. Many people think of influenza as an
illness that affects the elderly. However, young children are also at risk. If you have
children between the ages of 6 and 23 months, recovering from the flu can be very
difficult. In fact, kids in this age group who get the flu are at risk for hospitalization. And
kids under 5 years old also have more medical visits because of flu-related illnesses
than older kids. The best way to avoid having your children come down with the flu is to
have them vaccinated with the pediatric influenza vaccine.

Thank you for joining us on A Minute of Health with CDC.

To access the most accurate and relevant health information that affects you, your family and your
community, please visit www.cdc.gov.