According to research published in the Journal of Pediatrics, infants and toddlers who receive two doses of the influenza vaccine are significantly less likely to contract the flu, pneumonia, and other similar illnesses. However, the study shows that just one dose does not offer any significant protection.
Conducted by Dr. Mandy A. Allison and her team at the University of Utah, the study analyzed data from over 5,000 healthy children aged 6 to 21 months. The children were seen at five pediatric practices in Denver during the 2003-2004 flu season.
The findings revealed that children who had received both doses of the vaccine were 69% effective in preventing visits to the doctor for flu-like illness. Additionally, the two-dose vaccine was 87% effective in preventing visits for pneumonia and influenza, which is comparable to its effectiveness in adults.
On the other hand, children who had only received one dose of the vaccine showed no significant difference in illness rates compared to those who were unvaccinated.
These results further support the recommendation for universal immunization against the flu in children aged 6 to 23 months.
If you want to ensure strong protection against the flu for your child, it is important to follow the recommended two-dose vaccination schedule. Don’t leave their health to chance – take action and give them the best defense against the flu.
SOURCE:REUTERS
