SIL told 16mo needs DOUBLE dose of flu vax?!

[curiouscanadian]

On Facebook today my SIL posted as her status

SIL"thinks holding kids down and giving them needles is awful and doesn't want to do it again next month"

When I asked why she'd have to take her 16mo again so soon, her reply was

"because we never gave him the flu shot last year, we have to get a double shot this year"

WHAT?! I mean, fine, every parent has to make their own mind up about vaccines, but why on earth would a 16mo. need a double dose of the flu vax, since they change it every year anyway? Can anyone explain this to me?

[ema-adama]

It is my understanding that when children are vaccinated for the first time against the flu, it is twice off thing. I think it is half a dose each time, making it a full dose after both injections.

ETA:

Children younger than 9 being vaccinated for the first time who still have not received their second recommended dose of vaccine. Studies have shown that two doses are needed in children younger than 9 the first year they are vaccinated in order to maximize the protective benefit from vaccination.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by ema-adama

It is my understanding that when children are vaccinated for the first time against the flu, it is twice off thing. I think it is half a dose each time, making it a full dose after both injections.

ETA:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm

Half-dose of the same vaccine. A half dose of flu 2009 and flu 2010 are two half doses, not one full dose.

[ema-adama]

Yes, you are right. I was not clear. For seasonal flu vaccination it is two doses, but not two full doses for children under 6.

Children less than nine years of age being vaccinated for the first time should receive two doses of influenza vaccine, spaced at least 4 weeks apart in the initial year. For inactivated (injectable) vaccine, the dose for children aged 6-35 months is 0.25cc, and the dose for children aged 36 months-9 years is 0.5cc.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaxadmin.htm