Coronavirus: The outbreak of the second wave of deadly Coronavirus continues in the country. In the first wave of Corona, people over 60 years of age were targeted. While in the second wave, the infection attacked the youth the most.
Now it is being said that the third wave of Corona will engulf the children. The possibility of a third wave has led to increased anxiety among parents and doctors. Know whether flu vaccination will prevent corona from spreading in children?
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Studies have shown that children are less likely to develop serious infections with the virus. However, in the last few months, there has been a steady increase in cases of spreading Coronavirus infection among children. Therefore, it can be said that there is no guarantee that children are completely safe from the virus or not.
Dr. Jaisal Sheth, Senior Consultant, and Pediatrician, Fortis Hospital told the media that the first wave of corona affected people above 60 years, the second wave affected the younger generation and now that most of the adults are infected with either Or have been vaccinated, then it is expected that in the third wave, the corona will have a greater effect on children. Dr. Sheth said that in view of the possibility of a third wave, there is an urgent need to look at ways by which we can protect children or at least reduce the severity of the disease. For this, Dr. Sheth talked about getting children vaccinated against flu.
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends a yearly flu shot for all children under the age of five. Recent studies conducted among children infected with corona during an epidemic in the US have shown that children who were vaccinated with the inactivated influenza vaccine during the flu season in the US in 2019–20 had a slightly lower risk of infection.
How does the flu vaccine protect?
Doctors say that corona and influenza have many characteristics. The current corona and additional influenza infection can turn the epidemic into a ‘twindemic’ situation. The flu vaccine will reduce the risk of twindemic in children. Influenza vaccine will prevent the risk of infection and reduce the severity of infection in children in a potential third wave.
It is important to note that the flu vaccine and the corona vaccine are different. A four-week interval between the two vaccines needs to be maintained to allow the child enough time to develop antibodies and to build all types of immunity against viral interference.
Why should you get the flu vaccine?
The flu in children can be a very serious illness, causing symptoms such as fever, runny nose, dry cough, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, and extreme tiredness. This can go on for several days or even longer. Some children may have a very high fever, sometimes without simple symptoms of the flu, and may have to go to the hospital for treatment. Serious problems related to the flu include sore ear infections, acute bronchitis, and pneumonia.
