Influenza vaccination for children
Specialist for pediatrics & adolescent medicine
Influenza vaccination: The influenza vaccination is a vaccination against influenza. It helps to prevent infection or avoid a severe course of the disease.
- Latest update: August 24, 2026
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Typical symptoms are a strong feeling of illness, fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea, nausea and loss of appetite.
The annual refresher course is particularly important for children aged 6 months and over, people aged 60 and over, pregnant women, chronically ill people, nursing staff and people with a lot of social contact.
There is a choice between dead and live vaccines, depending on age, underlying diseases and risk. Vaccination protection lasts for about a year.
What is influenza?
Influenza, also known as the real flu, is a infectious diseasewhich mainly occurs during the cold season. It is caused by influenza viruses and spreads easily from person to person in everyday life.
The Transmission occurs through droplet or smear infectionse.g. when sneezing, coughing or speaking. However, infection is also possible via hands or objects. Every year, around 5 to 15 percent of the population during the flu epidemic.Symptoms and complaints of flu
Influenza infection can occur in all age groups and Very different courses show. Some people have hardly any symptoms, others suffer from a strong feeling of illness and severe discomfort. The first symptoms usually appear within one to two days of infection.
Typical symptoms of the flu:
Strong feeling of illness
Fever, headache, muscle and joint pain
Sore throat
Dry cough
Partly severe cold, diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting
Why get vaccinated against influenza?
Vaccination against influenza provides effective protection against illness and reduces the risk of a severe course. As some infected people show no symptoms but are still contagious, the virus can spread very quickly. The vaccination therefore also contributes for the protection of others with.
Although the flu vaccination does not generally prevent influenza caused by other viruses, it does provide reliable protection against influenza itself. Since fall 2023, the public vaccination program (ÖIP) available free of charge for everyone in Austria.
The vaccination is used for many doctors in private practice also offered at vaccination campaigns in companies, retirement and nursing homes as well as in hospitals, care and social facilities.
The best time for vaccination is between mid-October and the end of NovemberHowever, it can also be carried out during the entire flu season.
Influenza vaccination for children
The National vaccination committee recommends the flu vaccination in Austria from the age of 6 months. The aim is to protect children from serious illnesses.
For the first vaccination before the 9th birthday, two doses are required at least four weeks apart. This is followed by an annual booster. From the age of 2, children and adolescents can alternatively have a Live vaccine as a nasal spray received.
As influenza viruses are constantly changing, the flu vaccine is also adapted every year. Although the vaccine cannot completely prevent the flu, it significantly reduces the risk of severe cases, hospital stays and complications. This topic therefore remains particularly relevant for the Protection of public health.
Recommendations for adults and older people
Adults and older people should get vaccinated against influenza annuallyas the flu viruses are constantly changing and this is the only way to ensure reliable protection. Vaccination is particularly important for the following groups of people:
Persons aged 60 and over
People with certain chronic diseases or a weakened immune system
People who are very overweight
Pregnant women, nursing mothers and women who wish to have children
Infants from the age of 6 months and toddlers
Healthcare and nursing staff as well as support staff
Staff in childcare, retirement and nursing homes
People with many social contacts
Which influenza vaccines are available?
Two main types of influenza vaccines are available in Austria: Inactivated vaccines (inactive) and live vaccines. The pediatrician decides which vaccine is suitable for a person based on their age, underlying illnesses and individual risks.
For children up to the age of 2 and for children with contraindications to live vaccines, a inactive inactivated vaccine is used. This is usually administered as an injection.
Children and young people from the age of 2 up to the age of 18 can alternatively choose a intranasal live vaccine in the form of a live vaccine as a nasal spray (particularly suitable for children). All influenza vaccines approved in Austria contain the virus strains recommended by the WHO and the EMA for the respective season.
Frequently asked questions and answers
When should children be vaccinated against flu?
Children should from the age of 6 months be vaccinated against influenza. The first vaccination before the 9th birthday requires two doses at least four weeks apart. After that, an annual booster is sufficient, as the influenza viruses are constantly changing.
Vaccination is particularly important for children with chronic illnesses or an increased risk of infection. The best time for the vaccination is between mid-October and the end of November. How long does the influenza vaccination last?
The influenza vaccination usually protects for about one year. As the flu viruses are constantly changing, an annual booster is necessary. Protection is particularly important for at-risk groups in order to prevent severe courses of the disease.
But even healthy people should get vaccinated annuallyto contain the spread of the flu virus. Vaccination protection begins approximately two weeks after vaccination. What side effects can occur?
After an influenza vaccination mild side effects which usually last one to three days. These include redness, swelling or pain at the injection site. This is occasionally accompanied by fever, headaches and aching limbs, tiredness or malaise. Nausea or swollen lymph nodes are also possible.
These Reactions are normal and show that the immune system reacts to the vaccine. However, the absence of side effects does not mean that the vaccination is not effective.