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MaineFlu Home > Vaccine recommendations > Youth Ages 6 Months to 18 Years

H1N1 information for Parents and People who Care for Children and Youth Ages 6 Months to 18 Years.

Children and youth are at a higher risk for getting very sick.  Getting the H1N1 flu vaccine is the best way to avoid getting the flu.

  • Two options for the vaccine - a shot (a killed vaccine) or a nasal spray (live attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV)
  • Infants under 2 years should get the H1N1 vaccine shot (the killed virus vaccine) not the nasal LAIV vaccine.
  • Children with chronic disease may not be able to get the nasal vaccine.
  • Children under the age of 10 will need two does of the vaccine.
  • It is fine for women who are breastfeeding to get the H1N1 vaccine. This will help protect your baby.

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.

For more information on the safety of the H1N1 vaccine

Most people with the flu feel tired and have fever (usually high), headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sore muscles. Some people, especially children, may also have stomach problems and diarrhea. Cough can last two or more weeks. If your child has flu symptoms, talk with your doctor and make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks a lot of fluids.

  • 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
  Resources for Parents  

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*)

An information sheet with tips for talking to your children about H1N1

After the Shots: What to do if your child has discomfort (PDF*)

Other H1N1 resources for parents can be found at the US CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents/

When to keep your child at home (Word*) (PDF*)

Hand Washing Videos for Younger Children

3 Fact Sheets to Inform Parents

*free viewer or to request a hard copy