What is influenza (the flu)?

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to hospitalization or even death.

How does the flu spread?

The flu spreads mainly through droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhoea, though this is more common in children than adults.

How can the flu be prevented?

The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. Other preventive measures include washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with sick people, and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

Can I get the flu from the vaccine?

No, the flu vaccine contains an inactivated virus or proteins that cannot cause infection. It helps your immune system recognize and fight the virus effectively.

How can I protect myself from the flu?

The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated annually. Additionally. practice good hygiene: wash hands frequently, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

How often should I get the flu shot?

You should get the flu vaccine every year since flu viruses constantly evolve, and the vaccine is updated annually to protect against new strains.

Is the flu vaccine safe?

Yes, the flu vaccine is extensively tested and recommended by global health organizations like WHO and CDC. Most people experience only mild side effects, if any.

What are the common side effects?

Common side effects include soreness, redness, and swelling at the injection site, as well as low-grade fever, headache, and muscle aches. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own.

Who needs the flu shot the most?

While everyone above 6 months should get vaccinated, it’s especially crucial for young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses.

Can healthy adults skip the flu vaccine?

No, even healthy adults can get the flu and spread it to vulnerable individuals. The vaccine reduces your chances of getting sick and helps protect your community.

Who should NOT take the flu vaccine?

People with severe allergies to any flu shot ingredients or those who had a serious reaction to a previous dose should consult a doctor before getting vaccinated.

Can I take the flu shot if I have a cold?

If you have mild cold symptoms, you can still get vaccinated. However, if you have a fever or feel very unwell, it’s best to wait until you recover.

Can we take other brand flu vaccines?

Yes, you can get the other brand FLU vaccine. WHO’s plays an important role in maintaining uniformity in Influenza Vaccine Strains with all the manufacturers. So, all the flu vaccines contain same strains, you have to choose the latest influenza vaccine available in the marketplace.

Why Babies Under Six Months Are More Vulnerable to Influenza

The first few months of a baby's life are filled with precious milestones, but they are also a time when babies are especially vulnerable to infections. Among these, influenza, commonly known as the flu, can be more than just a seasonal illness. Flu in babies under 6 months can sometimes lead to serious complications because their immune systems are still developing, and they are too young to receive the influenza vaccine themselves.¹

Understanding the flu in babies under 6 months is important for every parent and caregiver. From recognizing flu symptoms in newborns and infants to learning why infants are more vulnerable to flu, knowing the facts can help families take the right preventive steps. Recent research also shows that maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of influenza-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits in infants during their first six months of life.²

Why Are Babies Under Six Months More Vulnerable to Influenza?

A newborn's immune system is still developing after birth. While babies receive some protective antibodies from their mother during pregnancy and through breastfeeding, their immune defenses are not yet fully mature.³

This is one of the main reasons why infants are more vulnerable to the flu than older children and adults.

Several factors contribute to the increased influenza risk in infants, including:

An immature immune system that cannot fight infections effectively.
Smaller airways that are more easily affected by respiratory illnesses.
Limited previous exposure to viruses, meaning little natural immunity.
Ineligibility for influenza vaccination before six months of age.¹

Together, these factors make flu in babies under 6 months a significant health concern.

Why Can't Babies Under Six Months Receive the Flu Vaccine?

One question many parents ask is why babies cannot simply receive the influenza vaccine soon after birth.

Current recommendations advise influenza vaccination beginning at 6 months of age.¹ Before then, babies rely on the antibodies they receive from their mother and on protective measures taken by family members and caregivers.

Because babies under six months cannot be vaccinated, preventing exposure to influenza becomes especially important.

Understanding the Influenza Risk in Infants

Although influenza often causes mild illness in healthy adults, it can be much more serious for young infants.

Research has consistently shown that infants younger than six months experience some of the highest rates of influenza-related hospitalization among children.² This increased influenza risk in infants exists because their bodies are still developing and may struggle to fight respiratory infections effectively.

Complications can include:

Pneumonia
Difficulty breathing
Dehydration
Feeding difficulties
Hospitalization

Understanding the influenza risk in infants helps parents appreciate why prevention is so important during the first six months of life.

Flu Symptoms in Newborns and Infants

Recognizing flu symptoms in newborns and infants can sometimes be challenging because babies cannot describe how they feel.

Parents should watch for signs such as:

Fever, or sometimes a low body temperature in very young infants
Poor feeding
Unusual sleepiness
Irritability
Cough
Runny or blocked nose
Rapid or difficult breathing
Vomiting or diarrhea in some cases

Because flu symptoms in newborns and infants can worsen quickly, parents should seek medical attention promptly if they notice concerning symptoms or difficulty breathing.¹

How Does Maternal Vaccination Help Protect Babies?

Since flu in babies under 6 months cannot be prevented through direct vaccination, protection begins before birth.

When a pregnant woman receives the influenza vaccine, her immune system produces antibodies against the virus. These antibodies cross the placenta and are passed on to the baby during pregnancy, providing temporary protection after birth.²

Research also suggests that breastfeeding continues to provide immune support through additional antibodies, although vaccination during pregnancy remains an important source of early protection.³

What Does the Latest Research Show?

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics evaluated how maternal influenza vaccination affected influenza-related illness in infants younger than six months.²

The researchers found that maternal vaccination was associated with:

Reduced odds of influenza-related hospitalization in infants.
Reduced emergency department visits due to influenza.
The greatest protection among infants younger than three months.
Stronger protection when mothers were vaccinated during the third trimester, although vaccination is recommended whenever indicated during pregnancy rather than delaying vaccination.

These findings reinforce why infants are more vulnerable to the flu and why protecting them before birth is so valuable.

Simple Ways to Help Protect Your Baby

While no preventive measure can eliminate every risk, parents and caregivers can take several practical steps to reduce the chances of flu in babies under 6 months.

These include:

Discuss influenza vaccination with your healthcare provider during pregnancy.
Encourage family members and caregivers to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations.
Wash hands frequently before handling the baby.
Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Limit exposure to crowded places during periods of increased influenza activity.
Keep commonly touched surfaces clean.

These simple habits can help lower the influenza risk in infants, especially during the flu season.

Why Family Protection Matters

Newborns spend most of their time with parents, siblings, grandparents, and caregivers.

If someone close to the baby develops influenza, the virus can spread through coughing, sneezing, or contaminated hands and surfaces. This is closely linked to their developing immune system. Reducing exposure within the household becomes an important layer of protection.

Creating a healthy environment around the baby complements the protection provided through maternal antibodies.

Final Thoughts

The first six months of life are a period of rapid growth and development, but they are also a time when babies face a higher influenza risk because their immune systems are still maturing and they are not yet eligible for influenza vaccination.

Understanding flu in babies under 6 months, recognizing flu symptoms in newborns and infants, and knowing why infants are more vulnerable to flu can help parents take proactive steps to reduce the risk of serious illness.

Evidence continues to show that maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy provides valuable early protection for infants during this vulnerable stage of life.² If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, speak with your healthcare provider about influenza vaccination and other ways to help protect your baby from seasonal influenza.

After all, protecting a baby from the flu begins even before they are born.