Flu Vaccine for Kids: When and Why it’s Important

Flu season can bring more than just sniffles — for young children, it can lead to serious infections and frequent hospital visits. That’s why the flu vaccine plays such an important role in protecting your child’s health every year. In this video, Dr. Lakshmi Deepika Relangi, Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Endocrinologist at Cloudnine Hospital, Electronic City, Bengaluru, explains everything parents need to know about the flu vaccination schedule — when to give it, why it’s essential, and how it helps strengthen your child’s immune system. Dr. Relangi breaks down the vaccination timeline, beginning at six months of age, with yearly booster doses recommended till five years — and even up to twelve years for children who are more prone to seasonal allergies, asthma, or frequent illnesses. She also explains the best time to take the vaccine — ideally between March and April — to ensure protection before the monsoon and school season begin. You’ll also learn why the flu vaccine changes every year, how it’s country-specific, and why even children who’ve received a flu shot abroad should take the India-specific flu vaccine if they’re spending the season here. Protect your child this flu season.