Flu season is here, and the best way to protect your child is a flu vaccine every year, starting at 6 months of age. That is the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and it is the recommendation of our pediatricians at West Alabama Pediatrics in Tuscaloosa. Good news: 2026–2027 flu vaccines are in stock at our office now.
Why does my child need a new flu vaccine every year?
Unlike many childhood immunizations that protect for years, the flu vaccine needs a yearly update. There are two reasons.
- The flu virus keeps changing. Flu viruses mutate from season to season. Each year, health experts track which strains are spreading around the world and update the vaccine to match. All 2026–2027 flu vaccines in the U.S. have an updated formula that protects against three flu strains.
- Protection fades over time. Even when strains stay similar, the immunity from last year's shot weakens over the months. A new dose each fall restores your child's protection for the season ahead.
- Check our What's Going Around resource for the latest information on local illness.
Why are young children at higher risk?
The flu is not just a bad cold for kids. Children younger than 5, and especially those under 2, are more likely to develop serious complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, high fevers, and hospitalization. Their immune systems are still developing, and their small airways are easily affected by respiratory infections.
Risk is also higher for children of any age with chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, neurological conditions, or a weakened immune system. Healthy children can get very sick, too.
A note for families with newborns: Babies under 6 months are too young for a flu vaccine. Their best protection is having everyone around them vaccinated, including parents, siblings, grandparents, and caregivers.
Common flu vaccine myths
Myth: "The flu shot can give my child the flu." Fact: It can't. Flu shots are made with inactivated (killed) virus or with no live virus at all, so they cannot cause a flu infection. The nasal spray vaccine uses a weakened virus that is changed so it cannot cause the flu. If your child feels a little run-down after a shot, that is a normal sign the immune system is building protection. A child can also catch a different virus around the same time, or be exposed to flu before the vaccine takes full effect, which takes about two weeks.
Myth: "The flu is just a bad cold." Fact: Flu usually hits suddenly, with high fever, body aches, and exhaustion that can last for days. It can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, and, in rare cases, death. Find helpful information on managing flu symptoms with our Is Your Child Sick resource.
Myth: "My child is healthy, so they don't need it." Fact: About half of the children who died from flu in 2024–25 had no underlying health condition.
Myth: "My child got a flu shot last year." Fact: Last year's protection has faded, and this year's vaccine is updated for this season's strains.
Myth: "It's November. It's too late." Fact: It is not too late. Flu season often peaks in winter and can last into spring, so vaccinating now still protects your child for months to come.
Mild side effects to expect
Most children have no reaction or only a mild one that goes away on its own within a day or two. Common side effects of the flu shot include:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
- Low-grade fever
- Headache or muscle aches
- Tiredness or mild fussiness
A cool compress on the arm, extra fluids, and plenty of cuddles usually help. Fever-related seizures after vaccination are rare in children 6 months through 4 years, estimated at about 1 extra case per 22,600 doses. The flu itself can also cause these seizures, so the AAP says this does not change the benefit of vaccinating. Serious allergic reactions are very rare. If you are ever worried about how your child is feeling after a vaccine, call our office.
Why some children under 9 need two doses
Children ages 6 months through 8 years who have not had at least two flu vaccine doses in the past need two doses, given at least four weeks apart. The earlier doses do not have to have been in the same season or back-to-back seasons.
Why two? A young child's immune system is meeting the flu vaccine for the first time. The first dose "primes" the body, and the second dose builds stronger, longer-lasting protection. In one review of studies, effectiveness in first-time vaccinated children under 9 rose from 35% with one dose to 43% with two.
A few practical tips:
- Get the first dose as soon as possible so the second can be completed before flu peaks.
- The two doses do not need to be the same brand.
- If your child turns 9 between doses, they should still get the second dose.
- Not sure about your child's history? Our team can check their records and tell you whether they need one dose or two.
Schedule your child's flu shot with us this fall
Flu vaccines for the 2026–2027 season are available now at West Alabama Pediatrics for every child 6 months and older, from first-time toddlers to teens heading to practice. Because flu activity is rising early this year, now is the best time to protect your family.
Booking is easy:
- Call us at 205-752-PEDS (7337)
- Message us through the patient portal
- Visit us at 1060 Fairfax Park, Suite C, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For busy school and work schedules, we also offer early appointments at 7:45 a.m. and evening appointments at 4:15 p.m. (office hours). Is your child already due for a well-child visit? Ask us about getting the flu vaccine at the same appointment.
We look forward to helping your family stay healthy all season long.