As a healthy adult, when you get a flu vaccine, you’re protecting more than yourself. You’re helping to limit the spread of disease to the most fragile members of our communities. Infants and young children are particularly susceptible to complications or even death from the flu virus. Children are two to three times more likely to get the flu.

Flu vaccines are made from dead flu virus and are a safe way to keep your children — and other children — healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend an annual flu vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age. Protect your children each year by getting them vaccinated. And protect babies in the community who are too young for vaccines by getting one yourself. You just might save an innocent life. 

• During the 2014-2015 flu season, 141 pediatric deaths were reported from 40 states and New York City.
• 8 pediatric deaths occurred in Nevada in that same time
• The median age of children who died from the flu virus from January 2014-June 2015 is 5.9 years old.
• Children are two to three times more likely to get the flu.
• Flu vaccines are made from dead flu virus and are a safe way to keep your children — and other children — healthy.

Children between 6 months and 8 years of age may need two doses of flu vaccine to be fully protected from flu. The two doses should be given at least 4 weeks apart.