Flu resources for pulmonology patients

The most important step you can take to stay healthy this flu season is to make sure everyone in your family (6 months and older) gets the flu shot. Watch the video for an important message from the Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis team at Children’s Health℠ and get more information to help protect your family.

Why is the flu shot important for children with lung diseases?

Children with lung diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are at higher risk for severe complications from flu. This is because the flu can worsen underlying lung conditions, leading to increased inflammation in the airways and severe breathing issues.

The flu shot reduces your chance of getting the flu. By getting vaccinated, children with lung diseases lower their risk of infection and serious complications.

Flu vaccines for Children’s Health pulmonology patients

If your child has an upcoming appointment at Children’s Health, ask your provider about getting a flu shot for your child during the appointment. Children’s Health offers flu vaccines to patients in select clinics, including Pulmonology. This is to help encourage the health and safety of patients with chronic medical conditions. Call the Pulmonology clinic ahead of your appointment if your child is interested in getting vaccinated.

If your child does not have an upcoming appointment, or their clinic is not offering flu vaccines, we recommend they get their flu shot at your pediatrician or primary care office. If your child does not have a pediatrician, visit Children’s Health Primary Care to find one. You can also find a list of additional vaccine locations on our main flu resources page.

If your child gets a flu shot somewhere else, please let your care team know. One easy way to do that is to register to use a free, online vaccination record keeper called the ImmTrac2 vaccination registry.

What is ImmTrac2?

ImmTrac2 is the Texas state vaccination registry. This convenient system stores immunization records from multiple databases in one secure, centralized, online system – so you don’t have to. To use this registry, you must first give your permission to participate. Only authorized organizations such as hospital systems can access the registry. Children’s Health pulls vaccine data from ImmTrac2. This information helps us understand how to better serve families during flu season.