Don't Wait, Get Your Child Vaccinated

Although the rush of back-to-school preparations has passed, parents are still faced with important decisions about their children’s health, most notably whether to get the flu vaccine. Each year in the U.S., an estimated 12,000 to 52,000 people die from flu-related complications, and tens to low hundreds of those deaths are children under 18, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu spreads quickly, and children are especially vulnerable. Dr. Hetal Tangal, a board-certified pediatrician and Associate Medical Director for Ambulatory Care at One Brooklyn Health, has practiced outpatient primary care for Brooklyn’s children for over 20 years at OBH-Brookdale. She is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, specializing in childhood obesity and behavioral health. Dr. Tangal clears up controversy and shares guidance on keeping children safe from Influenza. 

There’s been confusion around recent CDC vaccine guidance for children. Can you clarify what is currently recommended and what hasn’t changed when it comes to protecting kids from the flu?

The core guidance has not changed: the CDC continues to recommend an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, including children. Yearly vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce a child’s risk of severe influenza, hospitalization, and complications.

Some people assume children aren’t at high risk from the flu. From a medical standpoint, how serious can influenza actually be for kids?

Influenza can be very serious in children, even those who were previously healthy. Each year, thousands of children are hospitalized with flu, and tragically, pediatric deaths still occur—many in children without underlying medical conditions.

We’re still seeing flu-related hospitalizations in pediatric patients. What kinds of complications are you seeing that concern physicians the most?

Physicians are particularly concerned about complications such as pneumonia, severe dehydration, respiratory failure, worsening of asthma or other chronic conditions, and—in rare cases—neurologic complications or overwhelming infection requiring intensive care

For parents who are unsure about flu vaccination, how do you explain the role of the vaccine in reducing severe illness, even if it doesn’t prevent every infection?

I explain that while the flu vaccine may not prevent every case, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccinated children who do get the flu are more likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster.

Are there particular groups of children who you consider especially important to vaccinate each season?

Yes—children under 5, especially those under 2; kids with asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease; children with weakened immune systems; and those who live with or care for high-risk family members are especially important to vaccinate.

What would you say to parents who feel they are receiving mixed messages about vaccines and are trying to make the best decision for their child?

I would encourage parents to talk with a trusted healthcare professional, ask questions, and rely on evidence-based guidance. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but the medical consensus is clear that flu vaccination is a safe and important way to protect children.

In one sentence, why is flu vaccination still an important tool for protecting children and communities?

Flu vaccination saves lives by reducing severe illness in children and helping limit the spread of influenza throughout families, schools, and communities.

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