Last updated: September 2026
The best time to get a flu shot for kids in Georgia is September or October, before flu starts spreading in local schools and daycares, and every child 6 months and older should get one each season. If your child is 6 months through 8 years and has never had a flu vaccine (or has only ever had one dose), plan on two doses at least 4 weeks apart. October is not late. A first dose now still puts protection in place before Georgia’s usual winter peak.
Key takeaways
- CDC and the AAP say September and October are the ideal window, ideally finishing by the end of October.
- Children 6 months through 8 years getting flu vaccine for the first time need 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart.
- Egg allergy is no longer a reason to skip the shot. Children with asthma should get the shot, not the nasal spray.
- Flu shots are available at all four Sun Pediatrics offices and can be combined with a well visit or sports physical.
When should my child get the flu shot in Georgia?
September and October. The CDC states that “September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against influenza. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October.” [Source: CDC, Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine]
The Georgia Department of Public Health notes that “the flu season begins in early October and can last as late in the year as May.” [Source: Georgia DPH, Influenza] In most years, metro Atlanta cases climb through November and peak between December and February. The vaccine takes about two weeks to build protection, so a September or October shot covers your child before that climb.
If you miss October, still get the shot. Flu circulates in Georgia into spring, and a November or December vaccine still protects for the months that remain.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
Every child 6 months and older, every season. The CDC’s guidance is that “everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions.” [Source: CDC, Who Needs a Flu Vaccine]
No flu vaccine is licensed for babies under 6 months, so the best protection for a newborn is for everyone around the baby to be vaccinated. Last year’s shot does not carry over. Questions before any vaccine are welcome here; read about our approach as a vaccine friendly pediatrician.
Which kids need two doses of flu vaccine?
Children 6 months through 8 years who are getting flu vaccine for the first time. The CDC states: “Some children 6 months to 8 years old need two doses of flu vaccine this season: Children in this age group getting vaccinated for the first time,” and “the second dose needs to be given at least 4 weeks after the first.” [Source: CDC, Flu and Children]
The same applies to children in that age range who have only ever received one dose. The first dose primes the immune system; the second produces the lasting response. Children 9 and older need one dose per season, and so do children 6 months through 8 years who already have two lifetime doses.
We check your child’s record at the visit and schedule the second dose if needed. If you are also catching up on required shots, see our guide to Georgia school vaccination requirements.
Flu shot or nasal spray: which is better for my child?
Both work. The nasal spray (FluMist) is a live, weakened vaccine. The CDC states that “healthy people ages 2 through 49 can get the nasal spray flu vaccine.” It is not an option under age 2. [Source: CDC, Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (Nasal Spray)]
The CDC lists children who should not get the spray: those 2 through 4 with asthma or wheezing in the past 12 months, those 2 through 17 taking aspirin or salicylate-containing medicines, and anyone with a weakened immune system from any cause. Asthma at age 5 and older is a precaution, and the CDC’s asthma page says that “people with asthma should generally not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.” [Source: CDC, Flu and People with Asthma] For those children, the shot is the right choice. If your child has asthma, review our post on childhood asthma symptoms, triggers, and care before flu season.
The CDC also confirms that the FDA approved FluMist for caregiver administration at home for children 2 through 17, starting with the 2025-2026 season. If that interests you, ask us first: the eligibility rules still apply, and 2026-27 availability should be checked against current CDC guidance.
Can my child get the flu shot with an egg allergy?
Yes. The CDC states that “people with egg allergy may receive any flu vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status,” with no additional safety measures “regardless of severity of previous reaction to egg.” [Source: CDC, Flu Vaccine and People with Egg Allergies]
For other allergy questions, see our overview of childhood allergies, testing, and treatment.
What side effects are normal after a flu shot?
Soreness at the site, mild fever, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. The CDC lists these as the common reactions and notes they go away on their own within a few days, which for most children means 1 to 2 days. [Source: CDC, Flu Vaccine Safety] The shot cannot give your child the flu. The nasal spray contains weakened virus that cannot cause influenza, though a runny nose afterward is expected.
A low fever that evening or the next day is normal. Give fluids and a weight-based dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen (ibuprofen only at 6 months and older) if your child is uncomfortable.
When to call about fever after a vaccine
- Any baby under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher: call right away, day or night.
- A temperature that rises above 104°F (40°C) repeatedly, at any age.
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours in a child under 2, or more than 72 hours in a child 2 and older.
- Fever with a stiff neck, trouble breathing, an unexplained rash, or a child who is hard to wake.
[Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org, Fever: When to Call the Pediatrician] Go to the ER for trouble breathing, a seizure, or blue or gray lips. Our guide on child fever and when to worry covers temperatures by age. A fever starting more than two days after the shot is likely an unrelated illness; use our is it a cold or the flu checklist and call us.
Why are young children and kids with asthma at higher risk from flu?
Small airways and immune systems that are still learning. The CDC identifies children under 5, especially those under 2, and children of any age with conditions such as asthma, as higher risk for serious complications, and estimates that flu hospitalizations among children under 5 have ranged from 6,000 to 25,000 per year. [Source: CDC, Flu and Children]
CDC surveillance reported “a total of 281 influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2024-2025 season,” and classified it as the first high severity season since 2017-2018. [Source: CDC, FluView Weekly Surveillance Report, Week 38 2025] About 90 percent of those deaths were in children who were not fully vaccinated. If your toddler wheezes with colds, our post on when to use a nebulizer for a toddler explains what to watch for.
Should my child also get COVID or RSV protection at the same visit?
Ask at the visit. As of the CDC page last updated November 19, 2025, the CDC “recommends a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 6 months and older based on individual-based decision-making,” and says parents of children 6 months to 17 years “should discuss the benefits of vaccination with a healthcare provider.” [Source: CDC, Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines] We have not confirmed 2026-27 specific COVID wording, so check the current CDC guidance or ask us. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same visit with no waiting period. [Source: CDC, Getting a Flu Vaccine and Other Vaccines at the Same Time]
For infants under 8 months, the CDC recommends an RSV antibody (nirsevimab or clesrovimab) “for all babies younger than 8 months of age born to mothers who did not receive a maternal RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo) during pregnancy,” given shortly before RSV season. [Source: CDC, Protecting Infants from RSV] It is one injection and can be given the same day as flu vaccine.
Flu vaccine options by age
| Age group | Vaccine options | Doses this season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6 months | None licensed | 0 | Vaccinate the household. Ask about RSV antibody. |
| 6 through 23 months | Flu shot only | 2 if fewer than 2 lifetime doses; otherwise 1 | No nasal spray under age 2. |
| 2 through 4 years | Shot, or spray if healthy | 2 if fewer than 2 lifetime doses; otherwise 1 | No spray with asthma or recent wheezing. |
| 5 through 8 years | Shot, or spray if healthy | 2 if fewer than 2 lifetime doses; otherwise 1 | Shot for asthma, immune conditions, aspirin therapy. |
| 9 through 18 years | Shot, or spray if healthy | 1 | Pair with a sports physical or well visit. |
How Sun Pediatrics can help
Flu shots are available at all four Sun Pediatrics offices: Marietta on Windy Hill, East Cobb on Johnson Ferry Road, Alpharetta on Morris Road, and Cumming on Sanders Road. Add the flu vaccine to a well visit or a sports physical, or come in for a quick vaccine-only visit.
Every physician is board certified, and our team cares for children from birth through 18. We check each record for the two-dose rule and screen for nasal spray eligibility. If your child gets sick this season, we run in-office rapid tests for flu, RSV, COVID, and strep, and we hold a Saturday clinic from 9:00 to 12:00 on the 1st and 3rd Saturday. New patients are welcome.
Request an appointment online or call 678-501-5601. Same-day sick visits are held every day at all four offices.
Frequently asked questions
Is October too late for a flu shot for kids in Georgia?
No. The CDC recommends vaccination by the end of October, and Georgia flu activity usually peaks in winter. Even a November shot still protects for the rest of the season.
My 3 year old got one flu shot last year. Does she need two this year?
Yes. Children 6 months through 8 years with fewer than two lifetime doses need two doses this season, at least 4 weeks apart. After that, one per year.
Can my child get the flu shot while sick with a cold?
Usually yes. A mild cold without fever is not a reason to delay. If there is a fever, we typically wait, and we can decide at a same-day sick visit.
Can my child still catch the flu after the vaccine?
Yes, but the illness is usually shorter and milder, and vaccinated children are far less likely to be hospitalized or die from flu.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Contact your pediatrician for care specific to your child.
