Can Your Child Get Their Flu Shot If They Have a Cold?

About 9% of all U.S. children get the flu every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). That’s a lot of sick kids!

The AAP recommends every child 6 months and older to get the flu shot. Flu vaccination is especially important for children who are at higher risk of serious complications from the flu. 

You may already know that the best time to get a flu shot is by the end of October, before the flu season starts. But thanks to back to school, many kids are usually dealing with coughs and colds during those early fall months. Many parents and caregivers are hesitant to get a sick kid vaccinated. But do you really need to hold off on a flu shot just because your child has a cold?

Can children get the flu shot if they’re already sick?

Yes. It’s safe for a child to get a flu shot even if they’re sick with a mild illness.

But what exactly is a mild illness? Mild illnesses include common conditions like:

• Colds

• Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)

• Sinus infections

• Ear infections

• Gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”)

These illnesses may make your child feel uncomfortable, but they generally aren’t a reason to delay vaccination. In these cases, it can be perfectly safe to give your child their flu shot, even if they’re feeling sick.

Talk with your child’s primary care provider if you’re not sure whether your child should get a flu shot. They can help you decide if it’s best to wait or if it’s safe to go ahead with the vaccine.

Can children get the flu shot if they have a fever?

Yes, having a fever doesn’t necessarily mean your child needs to wait to get a flu shot. There isn’t a specific temperature that determines whether a child should be vaccinated. Instead, healthcare professionals consider how sick your child is overall. A child with a mild illness can usually get vaccinated. Meanwhile, a child with a moderate or severe illness may need to wait until they’re feeling better.

Can children get a flu shot while taking antibiotics?

Yes, your child can get their flu shot when they’re taking antibiotics.

Antibiotics fight bacterial infections, while the flu shot helps protect your child from getting sick with the influenza virus.

Your immune system responds to flu vaccination by making antibodies against the flu virus. Antibiotics don’t affect how that process works.

So taking antibiotics won’t make the flu vaccine less effective. And getting the flu shot won’t interfere with antibiotics or your child’s recovery from a mild bacterial infection.

How sick is too sick to get a vaccine?

If your child has a moderate or severe illness, they may need to wait until they’re feeling better before getting a flu vaccine. There isn’t a specific list of symptoms that means your child is too sick to get the flu shot. Instead, a healthcare professional will look at your child’s symptoms and overall health to decide whether it’s best to wait.

Once your child has recovered from a moderate or severe illness, they can get their flu vaccine. 

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Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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