At the end of almost every checkup the child getting vaccines asks me when he will need shots again. Sometimes it’s a just a month or two later, sometimes the next year but the answer that is most liked is 7 years later for a tetanus booster. The problem is that many adults forget that they’re supposed to get vaccines every few years, just like kids but most don’t.
The American Academy of Pediatrics just released a statement encouraging grandparents to get the flu vaccine and the whooping cough vaccines to protect their grandchildren. Infants under six months can’t get the flu vaccine and even though they have received some vaccines, they are still at risk if exposed to whooping cough. Since grandparents are often enlisted to help care for infants and want to be able to kiss and snuggle and make goo goo eyes at their perfect, brilliant grandchild, taking every precaution makes sense.
Grandparents, talk to your doctor about the Tdap vaccine against whooping cough and be sure to get your flu vaccine while you’re there!
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