Which influenza vaccine is suitable for my 8-year-old child?

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Influenza viruses of types A and B attack five to 10 percent of adults and 20–to 30 percent of children, thereby causing millions of acute respiratory infections worldwide.

Most infections with influenza A and B viruses do not cause pronounced symptoms. Acute self-limiting uncomplicated influenza is characterized by a sudden onset of fever (above 38.5° Celsius), dry cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, fatigue, sweating, and nasal and pharyngeal inflammation. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the additional symptoms. In the absence of complications and risk factors, an influenza illness lasts five to seven days. However, a small proportion of these infections may lead to complications such as pneumonia and bacterial superinfections that may need hospitalization.

Prevention

Active non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI), for example, face masks and intensified hand hygiene (for example, comprehensive hand washing) may be effective in preventing influenza infection. However, in clinical settings or households, vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent influenza. The global pediatric guidelines recommend routine influenza vaccination and the use of antiviral agents for the prevention and treatment of influenza in children.

The composition of the influenza vaccines for the 2023–2024 season has been updated. The recommended influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 component of the vaccine is new for this season. The influenza A (H3N2), influenza B Yamagata lineage, and influenza B Victoria lineage components are unchanged from the previous season.

Although influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone starting at six months, the emphasis should be placed on ensuring that high-risk, medically vulnerable children and their household contacts and caregivers receive annual influenza vaccines.

People with the following medical conditions have a higher risk of severe influenza, including immunocompromising conditions, such as HIV, malignancy, spleen removal, chronic steroid use, receiving immuno-oncology medicines, receiving a hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant, cardiac disease, down syndrome, obesity, chronic respiratory conditions, chronic neurologic conditions, chronic liver disease, other chronic illnesses that need medical follow-up or hospitalization, long-term aspirin therapy in children (aged six months to 10 years), and preterm infants (below 37 weeks gestation).

Influenza vaccination: Most people should receive one dose of influenza vaccine each year. However, the following people should receive two doses four weeks apart:

1. Children aged six months to below nine years receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time.

2. People of any age receive the influenza vaccine for the first time after hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplants.

The type of vaccine varies with age:

1. People aged six months to below 65 years should receive a standard influenza vaccine.

2. People aged 65 or older should receive an adjuvanted (NIP-funded) or high-dose influenza vaccine but may receive a standard influenza vaccine if the adjuvanted or high-dose vaccine is unavailable.

In addition, antiviral medications are required in post-exposure prevention with the guidance of a pediatrician or physician, as well as the child's body weight and health status.

I hope I have answered your question.

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Regards.