Vaccination for Children & Parents

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Parents and Children

Help Keep Your Family and Yourself Protected

The flu is more dangerous for children than most parents realize. In fact, children typically experience the highest rates of influenza infection each year. They were hit particularly hard by the 2009 H1N1 virus, which was associated with most of the 341 influenza-related pediatric deaths reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from late April 2009 through mid-May 2010.²

Olympic Gold Medalist and mother of 2 young children, Kristi Yamaguchi wants to do everything she can to protect her children, but as a wife and daughter, she also knows that influenza immunization is a must for everyone in her family, including her parents. Typically, older adults are hardest hit by influenza.

"As a mother, I know my whole family needs to be immunized, and that’s a responsibility that I take seriously. Not only is it important that my daughters get vaccinated, but my husband and I, and our parents need to get vaccinated too. People at all ages need to be protected against the flu."

Immunization is safe and effective, and the best way to help protect infants and children from contracting the influenza virus¹. In fact, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older gets immunized.¹

The CDC also recommends children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, get a flu shot, as they are at higher risk of developing complications from influenza.¹ This is especially important for children younger than 5 years of age with these conditions, as such children are 5 times more likely to be hospitalized with influenza-related illnesses than healthy children in the same age range.³

Annual flu vaccination also is important for the rest of the household. This includes parents, grandparents, siblings, and even babysitters – anyone who comes into close contact with high-risk groups. Flu shots for the whole family are especially important if you have a child younger than 6 months of age in the house, since children this age are too young for the influenza vaccine.¹

Pregnant women also are at risk of serious flu-related complications, and are more likely to be hospitalized from influenza-related complications than non-pregnant women of the same age. Getting a flu shot can help protect them, as well as their unborn children, from the influenza virus.¹

Did you know?

Portrait Gallery

Daina Maxwell and Dez’Arae Harrison

Mother and Her Daughter With Asthma, Who Was Hospitalized for Influenza-related Complications

“I never knew how serious influenza was until Dez’Arae got it,” Daina said. “I am so lucky to still have her here, and I am not willing to take any more chances.”
Richard and Alissa Kanowitz

Parents of Amanda Kanowitz, Who Died From Influenza-related Complications at 4

When Richard and Alissa Kanowitz lost their daughter, Amanda, to influenza-related complications in 2004, they decided to do everything they could to save other families from enduring similar heartbreak.
Lisa Amoruso

Wife and Mother of 2 Who Contracted Nearly Fatal Case of Influenza

Lisa, an otherwise healthy and active woman, had contracted influenza and was severely ill for approximately 5 months. With the help of strong doctors and the love and support from her family and friends, Lisa survived and is now championing a new cause − influenza vaccination. She wants others to know that influenza can strike anyone and vaccination can help provide protection.¹
Eva Quiroz and Jasper Quiroz-Hansen

Working Mother of 2 and Her Son

Even with her husband’s help, Eva Quiroz’s free time is limited. But her family’s health is her top priority, no matter how busy she gets. Eva knows influenza is a potentially life-threatening disease, so she schedules her family’s vaccination appointments with their doctor every year.
Christina Fry, Rick Cerett, and Chalise Jackson

Family of Infant Marques Jackson, Who Died at 6 Months of Age From Influenza-related Complications

When infant Marques Jackson passed away from influenza-related complications, his mother Christina Fry and grandfather Rick Cerett became crusaders for yearly vaccination for parents, children, and caregivers.
Mark Williams, MD

Pulmonary Disease Specialist, American Lung Association Board Member

Mark Williams, MD, sees many “faces” of influenza on a daily basis, as everyone 6 months of age and older is recommended for annual influenza immunization by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, especially those with chronic lung conditions.¹
Bob Khan

Fire Chief, City of Phoenix Fire Department

Fire Chief Bob Khan knows that, healthy or not, the flu and its complications can stop him and his crew of 2,000 firefighters in their tracks.
Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH

Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, does whatever he can to help protect the public’s health. He knows influenza is a serious and deadly threat, and with the CDC’s recommendation for everyone 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated, Dr. Frieden is more committed than ever to spreading the word about the importance of getting immunized against influenza each year.¹
Ray and Stella Ross

Husband With COPD and His Wife, Household Contact

Ray Ross has emphysema, a progressive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Not only does Ray get an annual flu shot, but his wife, Stella, does as well to ensure she does not bring the virus home to her husband.
Scott Jones

Sacramento County Sheriff

As a Sheriff, Scott Jones knows part of his job means taking risks to make sure Sacramento County is a safe place to live. But one risk Scott refuses to take is getting influenza – he gets himself and his family vaccinated every year.
Julie Moise

Mother of Ian, Who Died From Influenza-related Complications at 6 1/2 Months of Age, Also Living With Asthma

Julie Moise lost her 6 1/2-month-old son, Ian, to influenza-related complications in 2003, just 2 days after he was diagnosed with the disease.
Amie and Cailey Welch

Mother and Daughter Influenza Survivors

Both Amie and Cailey Welch contracted life-threatening cases of influenza. Both survived but it was a long, hard battle that left young Cailey with long-term effects, including a tracheostomy, as well as the inability to breathe without an oxygen machine from time to time.
Linda DeLude

Mother of 2 Who Lost Her Husband, Barry, a Minneapolis Firefighter, to Influenza

Linda DeLude’s husband, Barry, a Minneapolis firefighter, was her best friend. He always was healthy, so Linda never thought about making sure he was vaccinated against influenza. But Barry was infected with influenza in March 2007 – tragically, he died from the disease.
David and Leia Schwartz

Father and Daughter Living With Asthma

David Schwartz and his daughter, Leia, both have asthma and understand how devastating influenza can be for those who fall in the highest-risk groups. “Just the thought of getting influenza scares my family because we know how devastating it can be for Leia, who has asthma,” said David.