Childcare Providers and Flu
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness that can be serious, sometimes leading to hospitalization and even death. Getting a flu vaccine is easy, and it is the single best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and the children in your care.
Key Flu Facts
- Health experts recommend that all people 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine every year.
- Flu vaccine comes as an injection or nasal spray. Talk to your healthcare provider about which type is best for you.
- You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.
- You need a flu shot every year.
- The flu vaccine is safe. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines. More about vaccine safety.
About Flu Shots and Children
- CDC recommends that children younger than 9 years of age who have never received or only received one dose a seasonal flu vaccine last year, get two doses of vaccine spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Learn more...
- Babies under 6 months old are too young to be vaccinated, so they are protected when family and caregivers get the vaccine themselves.
Tools for You
The following are helpful tools to use at your childcare center or for in-home child care.
Flu vaccines are offered in many locations including doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies, and college health centers, as well as many employers and even in some schools.