After Receiving the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine: How to Care for Your Child

The nasal spray flu vaccine can help protect your child from getting the flu, which can make children very sick. For the best protection, your child should get a flu vaccine every year. 

After getting the flu vaccine, some kids have mild side effects for 1 or 2 days, like a runny nose, headache, achiness, a sore throat or a slight fever. These side effects aren't as bad as the flu, which can make people sick for as long as 2 weeks and can have serious complications.

• No special care is needed.

• If your child is uncomfortable or has a fever, your health care provider may recommend acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) OR ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin® or a store brand).

• Some children 8 years old or younger may need two flu vaccines about 1 month apart. Ask your health care provider if you should schedule a second vaccination appointment.

• Kids should get a new flu vaccine each fall, ideally before the end of October.

• Your child develops wheezing or a cough.

Call 911 if your child has signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hoarseness, trouble breathing, hives, swelling of the face, paleness or feeling very weak or dizzy.

Who should get a nasal spray flu vaccine? The nasal spray vaccine works equally as well as the flu shot, and can be given to healthy children over 2 years old. It shouldn't be given to children with some medical conditions, like asthma or weakened immune (disease-fighting) systems. It should also not be given to children who will be around people with weakened immune systems.

How does a flu vaccine help protect against the flu? The body responds to the flu vaccine by creating antibodies against the virus about 2 weeks after getting the vaccine. Antibodies are special proteins that lock onto germs to keep a person from getting sick. These antibodies help protect your child during flu season. 

Can the flu vaccine give my child the flu? No, your child cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. But the flu vaccine doesn't prevent every strain of flu. Kids who come in contact with a strain of flu that is not in the vaccine may become ill even though they had the flu vaccine.