H3N2 Influenza: Everything that parents need to know about the vaccine and prevention tips

According to media reports, India has been witnessing a surge in H3N2 influenza virus cases. From January 1 to March 28, 2023, a total of 1,317 cases have been reported. What is probably worrying some parents is that there have been sporadic cases where the toddler has been detected with H3N2 and COVID-19.

However, Dr Jatinder Singh, Child Specialist & Neonatologist and a Professor at Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, whose children study at Apeejay School, Model Town, says that there is no need for parents to press the panic button and everything is under control.

“Kids with H3N2 have been recovering fast with no further complications. Kids who developed pneumonia too recovered well. So definitely, no need to worry,” Dr Singh stressed.

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  “Anybody and everybody above the age of six months must get this vaccine shot. For children below the age of nine years, this vaccine has to be taken twice at a gap of one month. For everyone else, the shot has to be taken once a year”

–Dr Jatinder Singh, Child Specialist & Neonatologist and a Professor at Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, whose children study at Apeejay School, Model Town

The vaccine that is available in the market – the Quadrivalent flu vaccine is safe; it has been in the market for decades now. “Quadrivalent influenza (flu) vaccine is designed to protect against four different flu viruses – two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses and this includes H1N1 (Swine flu) and H3N2. Anybody and everybody above the age of six months must get this vaccine shot. For children below the age of nine years, this vaccine has to be taken twice at a gap of one month. For everyone else, the shot has to be taken once a year,” Dr Singh explained.

But he is quick to point out that just because a person has taken a shot doesn’t mean that he/she can’t get the flu. “The only difference is that its impact will be less and their recovery too will be faster,” Dr Singh said.

Who should get the vaccine?

While everyone above the age of six months should get vaccinated, those children who are more vulnerable like kids with asthma must get this vaccine. “Children who are susceptible to cough and cold, those who are diabetic (type1), asthma or any other respiratory problems or other comorbidities MUST be given the shot, if the parents have not already done the same,” Dr Singh advised.

Are there any side effects?

According to Dr Singh, there are no side effects of this vaccine besides low-grade fever (99-100) for a day. “The best part about this vaccine is that there are no adverse effects. “With school opening, I got a lot of parents who came with their kids to get their kids vaccinated. This vaccine has been in the market for decades, unlike the COVID-19 vaccine which was introduced in less than two years,” Dr Singh said.

Need for mass awareness

He added that with the rise in the number of flu cases, awareness has gone up. “Parents would get the shot for their kids earlier as well, but they were the ones who had more knowledge about it. Today, with H3N2 cases rising, awareness has also gone up and many parents are queuing up to their wards vaccinated. The flu vaccine is not readily available in government hospitals. And therefore, sadly, there is still little awareness among the masses and that is where we need to spread the word,” Dr Singh said.

Prevention is better than cure

While the vaccine will keep the children safe to a certain extent, it is also important that parents tell their kids how necessary it is to follow some protocols. “These will keep the school-going kids safe. The protocol that was advised during the COVID-19 pandemic must be followed here as well,” Dr Singh said and listed things to do.

1. Wash your hands at regular intervals.
2. If washing is a problem, use a sanitiser.
3. Wear a mask while taking public transport or school bus and or visiting a crowded place.
4. If the child has a fever, parents must not send him/her to school till the fever subsides.
5. Get your child vaccinated, if not already done.