The DeKalb County Board of Health encourages children 6 months and older to be immunized with seasonal flu vaccine. As the holidays approach, a flu vaccine will help your child to build protection from being sick with the flu during the holiday seasons. In addition, if your child has flu vaccine, they won’t miss school days or make others in your family ill after the holidays end.
The flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children.
• Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old. Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old.
• Each year, an average of 20,000 U.S. children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
• Children with chronic health problems like asthma and diabetes are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
Flu vaccines are $20 at all DeKalb County Board of Health centers on a walk-in basis. Flu shots and nasal mists are available. The Vaccine for Children program helps uninsured and underinsured children get immunized.
When you visit any Board of Health center for a flu vaccine, your child will get a flu sticker from one of Santa’s health center elves letting Santa know that “They Got Their Shot!” Santa stickers will be available until December, 31, 2011.
Call (404) 294-3700 or visit dekalbhealth.net for more information about flu shots. -30-