Flu is a Serious Illness
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, poses a significant health risk to children, especially those under five years old. The CDC estimates that as many as 25,000 children age 5 and younger are hospitalized because of complications related to the flu each year. During last flu season, there was a record high of 200 children who died from the flu, an estimated 80% of whom were not immunized against the flu.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to managing the flu and preventing complications.
Hear from Families Affected by the Flu
Our partners at Families Fighting Flu have shared brief videos highlighting the life-changing impact that flu has on families.
In this powerful video, Joe Lastinger describes his personal journey from being a parent to becoming a vocal advocate for flu vaccine policy.
Bethany Drapeau shares her healthy young daughter’s story of succumbing to the flu.
New for 2025-2026
- NAPNAP experts Drs. Andrea Kline-Tilford and Imelda Reyes will be speaking on radio and syndicated shows on Nov. 13 about the risks of flu and benefits of flu protection.
- Be sure to follow NAPNAP on social media to see our flu campaign which launched on Nov. 6. Share posts to your friends and followers!
- New flu-related animations targeted to providers and patients will be posted to this page and other digital channels in November.
- Members can receive practice materials delivered directly to them later this season.
Increasing Public Awareness
Listen to NAPNAP’s 60-second flu prevention messages in English and Spanish featuring NAPNAP expert Stephania Galindo. These aired nearly 2,000 times to more than 25 million listeners across the country in October.
English
Spanish
These expert-presented audio news releases are sponsored by an independent grant from CSL Seqirus.
Provider Resources
- Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule with details for flu vaccine administration – AAP
- Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025–2026: Policy Statement – AAP
- Clinical signs/symptoms – CDC
- Testing and diagnosis – CDC
- Guidance for laboratory testing – CDC
- Influenza antiviral medications – CDC
Provider & Patient Handouts
We are pleased to partner with Families Fighting Flu to provide these resources to our provider community as they counsel patient families. We encourage providers to download and post materials in their office or distribute to patients.
Flu Facts for Families
Fact #1: You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. In fact, the flu vaccine (administered via a needle) does not actually carry a live virus; it has either become “inactivated” or does not contain a flu virus at all.
Flu Fact #2: The flu is not just a bad cold — it is a serious disease. Flu is a highly-contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs), but can also affect many different organs in the body and cause serious complications or even death. In the United States, about 200,000 people are hospitalized each year because of the flu, which includes approximately 20,000 children under the age of five. And, the flu causes more deaths each year than any other vaccine-preventable disease. Sadly, children, even otherwise healthy children, can die from the flu.
Flu Fact #3: It is recommended that everyone 6 months of age and older receive an annual flu vaccination, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual flu vaccination is critical because flu strains can change from year to year, and the flu vaccine is updated annually to protect against the anticipated circulating strains. Even in a mild flu season, it’s important to get your flu vaccination. It’s also important to practice other healthy habits, such as washing hands often, covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your elbow (instead of your hand), avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth and staying away from sick people.
Flu Fact #4: The potential side effects of the flu vaccine are not worse than the flu itself. The flu vaccine cannot cause the flu. The most common side effects of flu vaccination may include soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given, which can last 1 – 2 days. Lowgrade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur, but these symptoms are much less severe than symptoms caused by actual flu illness.
Flu Fact #5: The flu vaccine is safe and represents our best weapon in the fight against flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccine is safe and also the best preventative measure we have to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities against this serious and potentially deadly disease. In fact, the flu vaccine has been available in the U.S. for more than 50 years, and there is extensive research proving its safety. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, regularly monitor the safety of vaccines that are used in the United States.
Resources for Families
NAPNAP offers curated resources to help families understand how to help prevent and/or manage flu.
- NAPNAP partners with KidsHealth® to provide parents and caregivers reliable evidence-based information about flu and trips for treating flu.
- Learn about free vaccines for children from the Vaccines for Children program.
