Essential Advice for Parents Ahead of Flu Season
WHO:
ABC News - Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, chief executive officer of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
ABC News - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
ABC News - American Academy of Pediatrics
WHAT:
Los Angeles Times - Health officials are urging parents to get flu shots now, stating that flu season did not start when or where it was expected.
ABC News - Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo stated, "When you look at the worst flu years, for example, 2025, 2024, they were not good for kids."
ABC News - Marrazzo emphasized the importance of having common medications on hand, stating, "It's good to have on hand things like child acetaminophen or Tylenol, or even ibuprofen like Advil or Motrin, because you can treat those fevers directly."
ABC News - Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo stated, "The vast majority of really bad outcomes, the worst being death, but also including hospitalization for flu-related illness, occur in kids who are unvaccinated."
ABC News - Marrazzo noted that children with a compromised immune system or conditions such as asthma should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.
ABC News - For children 9 years and older, they can receive an inactivated flu vaccine shot, an intranasal vaccine, or a recombinant flu vaccine.
ABC News - The flu season is beginning, which can be stressful for parents and families.
ABC News - The IDSA and other physician groups recommend that everyone, including parents and kids over the age of 6 months, get a flu vaccine.
ABC News - In the worst flu years, such as 2024 and 2025, there were between 150 and 180 deaths in kids, with over 90% of those children being unvaccinated.
ABC News - Flu symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
WHERE:
ABC News - The recommendations and information pertain to parents and families in the United States.
WHEN:
ABC News - Children between 6 months to 23 months old can receive an injection of the inactivated flu vaccine.
ABC News - Children between 2 to 8 years old have the option of receiving either the inactivated injection or an intranasal live attenuated flu vaccine.
WHY:
ABC News - The flu can be more serious than the common cold and other illnesses, especially for kids with chronic conditions and those under 5 years old.
HOW:
ABC News - Parents are advised to ensure that children are well hydrated and to keep them away from other people in the household if flu symptoms develop.
ABC News - Marrazzo advised parents to have on hand medications like child acetaminophen or Tylenol, or ibuprofen like Advil or Motrin to treat fevers directly.
ABC News - Parents are advised to encourage good hygiene practices, including regular hand washing and covering coughs, to prevent illness.
ABC News - Common medications such as child acetaminophen or ibuprofen should be kept on hand to treat fevers and support recovery.
(UPDATED October 8, 2026 22:03 UTC)
Health officials are urging parents to get flu shots now, as flu season has not started when or where it was expected. The Los Angeles Times reports that this unexpected timing could lead to a more severe flu season. Parents are encouraged to take action to protect their children and families from potential health risks.
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(UPDATED October 8, 2026 16:04 UTC)
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo has highlighted the challenges faced by children during severe flu seasons, referencing particularly tough years like 2024 and 2025. She recommends that parents keep common medications such as child acetaminophen or ibuprofen on hand to help manage fevers effectively. Additionally, Marrazzo advises parents to ensure their children stay well hydrated and to isolate them from others in the household if flu symptoms appear.
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(UPDATED October 8, 2026 13:13 UTC)
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo emphasized that unvaccinated children face the highest risk of severe outcomes from the flu, including hospitalization and even death. She also cautioned that kids with compromised immune systems or conditions like asthma should avoid the nasal spray flu vaccine, while those aged 9 and older have options for receiving an inactivated flu shot, an intranasal vaccine, or a recombinant flu vaccine. Marrazzo recommended that parents keep medications such as child acetaminophen or ibuprofen on hand to effectively manage fevers.
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(UPDATED October 8, 2026 04:08 UTC)
As flu season begins, health experts from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics are urging parents to ensure that everyone, including children over six months old, receives a flu vaccine. In the most severe flu years, like 2024 and 2025, there were between 150 and 180 deaths among children, with over 90 percent of those cases involving unvaccinated kids, highlighting the importance of vaccination. Parents are also encouraged to promote good hygiene practices and keep common medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen on hand to help manage symptoms and support recovery.