You Are Probably Giving Your Kids the Flu Shot Much Later Than You Should

For parents, there are only two times of year: flu season and those awful months when your kiddo invariably gets the flu and everyone in your family starts dropping like flies.

But updated guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics include a new vaccination timetable for anyone with small children. "Since the start of the influenza season is unpredictable, immunization of all children 6 months and older should begin as soon as the seasonal influenza vaccine is available," the recommendation states.

The AAP predicts that this coming flu season may start early in the Fall or Winter, have more than one disease "peak," and extend into late Spring. Nothing out of the ordinary there, but in order to fully protect your children from contracting the flu, it suggests that "complete immunization" should occur by the end of October.

If you worry that getting a flu shot so early increases the risk that kids could get a bout of the flu later, don't. The AAP maintains that there's "no evidence that administering" the vaccine before Oct. 31 will do any harm. Waiting until November or later, however, could put them at risk.

So do your entire family a favor and make an appointment with your pediatrician to get your kids' flu shots as soon as possible.

If you have further questions about the flu — what the shots do or who shouldn't get them — click here for a comprehensive overview.