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MaineFlu Home > Vaccine recommendations > Infants up to Age 6 Months

H1N1 information for household contacts and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old

Infants under the age of 6 months are higher risk for getting very sick if they get H1N1 flu, but cannot receive the H1N1 vaccine.  For this reason, it is very important that their parents, people who live in the same house, and people who take care of them get vaccinated.  This will help protect the baby from the flu. 

  • Your health care provider or pediatrician may be able to give you the H1N1 vaccine.  If not, go to http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/fluclinics/index.shtml to find a flu clinic.
  • It is fine for women who are breastfeeding to get the H1N1 vaccine.  This will help protect your baby.
  • Call or take your child to a doctor right away if your child:
    • has a high fever or fever that lasts a long time
    • has trouble breathing or breathes fast
    • has skin that looks blue
    • is not drinking enough
    • seems confused, will not wake up, does not want to be held, or has seizures (uncontrolled shaking)
    • gets better but then worse again
    • has other conditions (like heart or lung disease, diabetes) that get worse

For more information on the safety of the H1N1 vaccine

Do you have other children?  For more information on H1N1 and older children

The Flu: A Guide for Parents (pdf*) - Printable Brochure:  Questions and answers about the flu, how to protect your child, treatment, and more

Parent Fact Sheet (word*)

Other H1N1 resources for parents can be found at the US CDC website

For information for feeding your infant when you are ill

*free viewer or to request a hard copy