2019-2020 Flu Season Recommendations

It is the beginning of influenza (“flu”) season!

Here are some things to be aware of as we enter this year’s flu season:

• The flu mist, or nasal spray vaccine, is approved this year by the Center for Disease Control and by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This is a change from the 2018-2019 flu season when the AAP recommended only the flu shot.
• The AAP strongly recommends receiving the flu vaccine in either form before the end of October.
• If your child is six months to eight years old and it is their first time to receive the flu vaccine, they should receive two vaccines, at least four weeks apart. Both doses should be given before the end of October.
• If your child is nine years old or older and it is their first time to receive the flu vaccine, they will only need one dose of the vaccine.
• If you decide to have your child receive the flu mist, they must be two years old or older.
• If your child has an egg allergy, it is safe for them to receive either the shot or the mist.

Your child’s pediatrician should have flu vaccines available, but if not, Little Spurs offers the vaccine at $35 to both children and parents. Please call for availability. We will only be offering the flu vaccine, and not the flu mist, for this flu season.

Your child might have the flu if they exhibit the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Body Aches

If you think your child has the flu, take them to their pediatrician. If they are not available, Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care is open seven days a week and sees children on a walk-in basis. With eleven locations in San Antonio and one in Garland, Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care sees children up to the age of 21.