How To Protect Younger Children From H1N1

Steps To Take For High-Risk Children

Keep children at high risk for flu complications from getting sick with the flu

• Make sure your child’s hands are washed for 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after coughing or sneezing.

• Have your child cough and sneeze into a tissue or into his or her elbow or shoulder if a tissue is not available.

• Keep your child away from people who are sick.

• Clean surfaces and objects that your child frequently touches with cleaning agents that are usually used.

• When there is flu in your community, consider your child’s risk of exposure if they attend public gatherings. In communities with a lot of flu, people who are at risk of complications from flu should consider staying away from public gatherings.

• If flu is severe in your community, talk to your doctor and child’s school to develop a plan on how to handle your child’s special needs.

Who Should Be Getting The Flu Vaccine

Who Should Be Getting Which Flu Vaccine?


Traditional Flu Shots/ Flu Mist:

• Adults 50 and older.
• All children age 6 months to 18 years.
• Pregnant women.
• People of any age with chronic health problems like asthma, heart disease or a weakened immune system.
• Health workers.
• Caregivers to the high-risk, including babies younger than 6 months.

H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine:

• Pregnant women.
• The young, from age 6 months up through age 24.
• Health workers.
• Younger and middle-aged adults with those chronic health conditions.

Ask your pediatrician about getting both the traditional and swine flu vaccines for your children. They may recommend it, especially for any children facing chronic health conditions like asthma, heart diseases or diabetes.

Want to learn more? Try these Web sites and Related Articles:

Web Sites:

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital on H1N1/Swine Flu
• Hamilton County Health District
• Center For Disease Control
• Flu.gov: Know What To Do About The Flu

Related Articles:

• What We Know About The Flu
• Q & A: H1N1 Flu And How It Affects Children
• H1N1 Study Raises Concern Over Sons Of Pregnant Moms
• H1N1 Flu Complicates Fall For Kids With Asthma
• Can't Get The H1N1 Flu Vaccine? Extra Care Is Needed
• The H1N1 Dilemma: Should You Take The Vaccine?
• Could Your State Run Out Of Hospital Beds?