A third of US parents say they'll skip the flu shots for their kids this year — here's why that's not a good idea

pulse

November 19, 2018 5:15 PM

A survey found one-third of parents aren't planning to vaccinate their kids against the flu, even though it can be serious and deadly.

flu shot
flu

A new survey finds that plenty of parents are not planning to vaccinate their kids against the flu this winter, CNN reported Monday.

In a poll of 1,977 US parents conducted by C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, one-third of respondents said they'd be skipping the flu shot for their child.

The survey didn't investigate specific reasons why parents chose to vaccinate their kids or not, but it did ask what sources of information parents consider when making the decision. In the sample,

The flu can even be deadly. An estimated 80,000 Americans died from the flu last winter, and 180 of those deaths occurred in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite an enduring myth, the flu shot wont actually make kids sick

It's also possible that you'll encounter a different type of virus, like ones that cause the common cold, right after getting the flu shot.

The flu shot helps protect others

herd immunity babies younger than six months allergic to flu shot ingredients

get vaccinated.

Not sure where to get a flu shot? Use this tool from the CDC to find a location in your zip code.

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