The holiday season is upon us and that means taking time out of our busy schedules to gather with family and friends. Spending cherished moments with grandparents, extended family, and good friends can be spoiled if you or a family member becomes ill.
We have all missed parties, trips, and other holiday events because we or our kids were sick. It’s no fun to be ill or to seek medical care over the holidays, especially for vaccine preventable diseases — including the flu, COVID-19, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles. As physicians, it has been alarming to witness diseases we had not worried about for decades suddenly reemerging due to a dangerous spike in vaccine hesitancy.
Contrary to what some families believe, the flu is not just a cold. It usually comes on suddenly, and people with flu may have some or all of the following symptoms: fever; aches (muscle, body, and headaches); chills; tiredness (fatigue); sudden onset cough, runny or stuffy nose, and/or sore throat; and vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults).
In October, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 43 million flu-related illnesses, resulting in 19 million medical visits, 560,000 hospitalizations, and 38,000 deaths (including 280 pediatric deaths) during the 2024-2025 flu season.
The best way to prevent flu and protect against serious illness is to make sure everyone in your family gets a flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated annually. Flu vaccines are updated each year to protect against the influenza viruses expected to spread during the upcoming season. Flu vaccines can vary in how well they work, but even when flu vaccinations do not completely prevent the infection, they can make the illness milder and prevent serious complications.
To find out what flu vaccine your child should get, click here. (The website is part of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which is a trusted source of medical information for parents.)
We want to remind families that for more than 50 years, hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. have safely received seasonal flu vaccines.
As pediatricians, we recommend that all family members are vaccinated against the flu and other preventable diseases so that your holiday will be filled with joy and laughter, not an illness that sidelines you from enjoying this magical time of the year with those you love most.
Chris Koutures, MD, FAAP grew up here in Irvine. He is a dual board-certified pediatric and sports medicine specialist who practices at ActiveKidMD in Anaheim Hills. He is a team physician for USA Volleyball (including participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympics); the U.S. Figure Skating Sports Medicine Network; Cal State Fullerton Intercollegiate Athletics; and the Chapman University Dance Department. He offers a comprehensive blend of general pediatric and sports medicine care with an individualized approach to each patient and family.
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