Dr. Wilson is a pediatrician who gained experience working in the Air Force and during his residency at the University of Oklahoma.
Fall in Utah County means cooler weather, school routines, and more time spent indoors. It also means flu season is approaching.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends an annual flu vaccine for all children ages 6 months and older who don’t have a medical reason not to receive one. For most kids, September and October are the ideal months to get vaccinated so they’re protected as flu season gets underway.
A flu vaccine can reduce the risk of getting the flu and, importantly, reduce the risk of serious illness and complications if they do get sick.
For many kids, the flu means several miserable days of fever, aches, fatigue, and missed school. But influenza can also cause serious illness, even in otherwise healthy children. Warning signs of flu complications can include trouble breathing, dehydration, extreme weakness or lack of alertness, or symptoms that improve and then return or worsen.
Children younger than 5, especially those younger than 2, and those with certain underlying medical conditions face an increased risk of flu-related complications. These can include ear or sinus infections, pneumonia, dehydration, worsening of conditions such as asthma, and, in rare cases, serious complications affecting the brain. However, severe illness can occur at any age.
The 2025–26 flu season was another high-severity season for children. As of August 2026, the AAP had reported 191 pediatric flu deaths. Historically, about 85% of children who have died from the flu were not vaccinated.
Vaccination doesn’t guarantee that your child won’t get the flu. But it can reduce the risk of infection and, if they do get sick, help reduce the risk of severe illness and complications.
The flu vaccine doesn’t provide immediate protection. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop antibodies that help protect against influenza. That’s one reason timing matters.
The AAP recommends offering flu vaccines as soon as they become available, especially for those who need two doses. Ideally, the recommended dose or doses should be administered by the end of October.
For some younger children, starting early is especially important because they may need more time to build protection. Those ages 6 months through 8 years may need two doses during the same flu season, depending on their previous vaccination history. Those doses must be given at least four weeks apart, so starting early gives them enough time to receive both doses before flu activity increases.
That means a September appointment can provide enough time for a second dose, if needed, and for protection to develop before flu activity increases.
| Child’s Age | What You Should Know | When to Vaccinate |
|---|---|---|
| Younger than 6 months | Babies this age are too young to receive a flu vaccine. | Protect them by making sure eligible family members and caregivers are vaccinated. |
| 6 months–8 years and needs two doses | Some children in this age group need two doses at least four weeks apart. | Start as soon as the vaccine is available so there is time to complete both doses. |
| 6 months–8 years and needs one dose | Annual flu vaccination is recommended. | Ideally, vaccinate by the end of October. |
| 9 years and older | One flu vaccine is recommended each season. | Ideally, vaccinate by the end of October. |
| Missed the fall window | It isn’t necessarily too late to provide protection. | Vaccination can still be beneficial while flu viruses are circulating. |
Not sure whether one dose or two is needed? Your UVP pediatrician can review your child’s vaccination history and help you determine what they need this season.
Last year’s flu vaccine doesn’t provide protection indefinitely. Influenza viruses change over time, and flu vaccines are updated each year to better match the viruses expected to circulate during the upcoming season. Protection from vaccination also decreases over time. That’s why the flu vaccine is recommended every year.
Vaccination can also help protect the people around your family. That’s particularly important for babies younger than 6 months, who are too young to be vaccinated, as well as older adults and others who may be more vulnerable to complications from influenza.
Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies, retail clinics, and other locations, but there are significant advantages to getting a flu vaccine at the pediatrician’s office.
Your pediatrician knows your child’s health history and has access to their vaccination record. That can be especially helpful if you’re unsure whether one dose or two is needed, have questions about side effects, or want to discuss other recommended vaccines. Pediatric care teams also have experience vaccinating children of different ages and helping them feel more comfortable during the process.
Getting vaccinated at your pediatrician’s office also keeps the vaccination documented in your child’s medical record, keeping their immunization history accurate and up to date.
You can’t prevent every runny nose, cough, or sick day that comes home from school, but vaccination is a simple step you can take to help protect your family from influenza. Now is the time to get vaccinated so there is plenty of time to develop protection before flu season gets underway.
Schedule your child’s flu shot with Utah Valley Pediatrics today and get one more item checked off your family’s fall to-do list.
No, the flu shot cannot cause the flu. Some kids may experience mild side effects after vaccination, such as soreness at the injection site, a low-grade fever, or tiredness. These effects are generally mild and short-lived.
Yes, the AAP recommends annual flu vaccination for children ages 6 months and older who do not have medical contraindications. Because influenza viruses change and protection from vaccination decreases over time, updated protection is needed each flu season.
Children ages 9 and older need one dose each flu season. Some children ages 6 months through 8 years need two doses at least four weeks apart, depending on their previous flu vaccination history. If you aren’t sure, your UVP pediatrician can check the vaccination record and tell you what is needed.
Children with egg allergies can receive an age- and health-appropriate flu vaccine. They do not need special precautions beyond those recommended for other children receiving a vaccine. If your child has had a previous reaction to a vaccine or you have concerns about allergies, talk with your pediatrician.
In many cases, a flu vaccine can be given during the same visit as other recommended vaccines. Your pediatrician can review which vaccines are needed and answer any questions about receiving them together.
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