Let?s face it: after more than two-and-a-half years of pandemic living, a lot of Canadians are tired of hearing about vaccines, boosters and viruses in general. We?re seeing fewer masks in public spaces and trying to navigate what ?living with COVID? means for each of us. Flu shots may not be top of mind for many parents right now and in some cases, they?re not even on the radar.
Understandably, pandemic fatigue may influence which precautions you take (or don?t take) this fall and winter. But with a drastic reduction in masking and physical distancing, viruses are circulating a lot more freely than they were this time last year?and that means it?s time for your family to roll up their sleeves and get the flu shot.
Why children should get the flu shot?now more than ever ?Children are one of the more vulnerable populations when it comes to influenza,? says Dr. Natasha Collia, an emergency physician at SickKids in Toronto. ?Kids are back to school and activities, and we know that cases of flu are expected to rise.?
Symptoms of the flu (which has several different strains) are similar to those of COVID-19 and include fever, chills, aches and pain, a cough and a sore throat. Children may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. In severe cases, influenza in children may lead to pneumonia, dehydration, heart or neurological problems leading to hospitalization or death. Cases of the flu were dramatically lower during the height of the pandemic du...