As you and your family prepare for a fun-filled day of hocus pocus, keep in mind that
hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid the spread of infections.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids 6 months of age and older get the flu vaccine every year. Children younger than 9 years old may need two doses of the vaccine to be protected. Discuss this with your child’s pediatrician.
Remember: Although other illnesses can be a bit scary right now, it is much easier to catch to the
flu or
other respiratory viruses than it is to catch
Enterovirus or
Ebola. In fact, based on statistics we have right now, it is likely that flu will cause far more illness and deaths around the globe than Ebola will.
~Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor, HealthyChildren.org