Every winter there is a significant increase in flu cases, along with other viruses. Within a few weeks, many people become infected, sometimes with various complications. Influenza and its complications are more common among children than adults, and often they are also the first to bring the virus home. Here’s what you need to know:
Flu vaccination for children
The flu vaccine is not part of the routine vaccination schedule in Israel, but the Ministry of Health recommends vaccinating all children every winter. The effectiveness of the vaccine varies from year to year, but even when it is moderate (around 50%-70%), vaccinated children usually experience a milder illness. To prevent the virus from entering the home, it is recommended to vaccinate all family members aged six months and older. The vaccine is safe for use, both as an injection and as a nasal spray. Even if it does not provide full protection, it offers an important protective layer that has no substitute.
Routine vaccinations
Israel’s routine vaccination program is considered comprehensive, effective, and highly safe. These vaccines have been proven to prevent serious diseases and maintain children’s health. In recent years, there has been a trend of splitting routine vaccines to reduce side effects, but it is important to know that such splitting can delay particularly essential vaccinations during the first year of life.
This year, for the first time, a new passive vaccine has been added to the health basket against a common infant pathogen, RSV. The vaccine is called Nirsevimab and is routinely administered to all infants in Israel under one year of age. We recommend strict adherence to this vaccination as well.
Children returning to educational institutions
Children who are sick should not be sent to school or daycare. One sick child can infect others, creating a chain of infection that is difficult to break. Keeping sick children at home helps reduce transmission and contributes to the health of all children.
Visits to pediatric clinics
In winter, waiting rooms in clinics are crowded with sick and contagious children. Some viruses are transmitted through the air, and others through surfaces that may remain infectious for many hours. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid unnecessary visits to the clinic.
Contact your pediatrician when your child has a high fever, a sickly appearance, vomiting, severe diarrhea, or an unexplained rash. Today, digital tools are also available that allow doctors to assess a child’s condition remotely. This helps reduce unnecessary visits and ensures that children who need a physical examination are seen promptly.
Preventing infection
It is important to wash hands with soap and water after changing diapers, using the bathroom, and before handling food. In families with infants, hands should be washed before any contact with the baby, and older siblings should be instructed to do the same. Avoid direct contact with the baby when a family member is ill, and ventilate the home frequently.
Rational use of antibiotics
Most winter illnesses are viral, and antibiotics do not help recovery. Moreover, unnecessary antibiotic use, especially during the first year of life, has been found to increase the risk of various diseases later in life. However, when the doctor recommends antibiotic treatment, it is important to complete the full course of medication.
Vaccinations for pregnant women
The Ministry of Health recommends that pregnant women be vaccinated against influenza and, during the third trimester, also against pertussis (whooping cough). These vaccines protect the mother and also help protect the baby through antibodies that pass through the placenta and via breastfeeding after birth.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding plays an important role in protecting infants from infections, especially during the first year. Breast milk naturally transfers antibodies to the baby, and even partial breastfeeding helps strengthen the immune system. It is recommended, when possible, to postpone weaning until early spring.
Starting daycare during the first year of life
If possible, it is advisable to postpone a baby’s entry into daycare until early spring. Babies who begin attending daycare in winter are exposed to many illnesses before their immune systems are fully developed. A later start, in a warmer season, allows them to cope better with the inevitable childhood illnesses.