3 Vaccinations You Should Schedule Your Child for This Fall

Unfortunately, many children miss out on routine vaccines that can help protect them from getting sick. According to the WHO, 21 million children didn’t receive a routine vaccine in 2022. There may be certain medical-related circumstances that prevent your child from getting vaccinated, but if your child is healthy, it’s important to make sure that they’re keeping up on their routine vaccinations to prevent serious illness. Here are three vaccines to schedule your child for this fall if you haven’t scheduled them already.

1. Flu

The flu shot is offered every fall at your local pharmacy and at your child’s pediatrician’s office. The flu vaccine is updated each year to make sure it’s as fit as possible to fight back against the season’s most current strain. You can get your flu shot at the same time as your child, too. This helps to reduce the risk of you and your child getting sick with the flu by 40-60%. What’s more, if you do become sick, the flu vaccine helps mitigate the symptoms, so they’re not as strong as they would be if you weren’t vaccinated.

2. COVID-19

Medical professionals have noticed that COVID-19 often spikes around the same time as flu season. As a result, if you or your child hasn’t received their COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot, this fall may be the best time to do so. The COVID-19 vaccine can help to reduce the risk of becoming sick with the virus and can help reduce the seriousness of the symptoms should you get infected.

3. RSV

Pediatricians have seen an influx of RSV infections in the last couple of years. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a respiratory illness that causes cold and flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, cough, fever, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, and apnea. This past May, the FDA approved an RSV vaccine that pediatricians now recommend your child receive this fall to help protect them against this virus. While RSV typically causes only mild symptoms, some cases can become serious. Infants and seniors are more likely to develop complicated symptoms.

Annual vaccinations not only protect you and your family but also keep those with weakened immune systems and those who are very old or very sick who may not be able to receive vaccines safe as well. If you’re looking for pediatricians in your area this fall, don’t hesitate to reach out to Pediatrix today to schedule an appointment for your child!

Posted 10/5/23