Fathers, have you or your child/children gotten your flu shot this year? If you didn’t know, the flu, or influenza, is a viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. The disease can spread from person to person and it has already swept the country this season.

According to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity is now considered "widespread" in 47 states and the percentage of Americans going to the hospital has doubled within the past month.

"I'm young and healthy," a father might say, "Why do I need the shot?" True, most people with seasonal flu are sick for about a week, and then they feel better. But, some people, especially young children, pregnant women, older people, and people with chronic health problems can get very sick. Each year in the U.S. an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized for flu-related complications.

The flu vaccine is, indeed, a good idea for all fathers and their families. A flu vaccine is the best way to protect your and your family from seasonal flu. Children are more likely to get the flu or have flu-related complications because their immune systems are still developing. In fact, a recent CDC study showed that treating children with the flu can be costly. 

Although infants younger than 6 months cannot get the vaccine, if the parents and older children in the household receive the vaccine, it will help protect the baby. This is important because infants are at high-risk for serious complications from the flu.

If an aversion to needles is keeping you or your child/children from getting the vaccination there is an alternative! In addition to the traditional kids' flu shot (injection), there is a nasal spray called FluMist that may be a particularly good option for children and adults who don't like needles.

You may need to call around to find the vaccine, since some vaccine providers may have exhausted their supplies, while others may have remaining supplies of vaccine.  However, it is worth the investment of time to do so.  Here is a helpful tool - the Flu Vaccine Finder.

For those of you who are asking, “Is it too late”? The answer is “No, it’s not too late to vaccinate”.  Remember, the flu is a serious illness and the season is likely to continue for several more weeks, so it’s important to take continued precautions.  Learn more at Flu.gov.

George L. Askew, M.D., serves as the first chief medical officer for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).  Earl Johnson is the Director of the Office of Family Assistance also within the ACF.

Recent Studies reveal that over 24 million children in the United States living apart from their biological fathers are two to three times more likely to be poor, abuse drugs and alcohol, experience emotional, health, behavioral and education problems, and engage in criminal activity.

How are American communities and organizations responding?

In response, the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NFRC) has been partnering with communities and organizations across the nation through Fatherhood Buzz, an initiative to support barbershops in connecting dads with local resources to help build strong families.

In the South Bronx, the Osborne Association’s Fatherhood Initiative, a program that works with formerly incarcerated fathers and their children, has partnered with Fatherhood Buzz to give resources and tips for parenting to their participants.

What kinds of tips for parenting do they teach?

• Spend time with your child, use every moment with your child to create positive memories
• Keep your promises that you made to your child, this builds trust between you and your child
• Celebrate your child’s accomplishments, praising your child gives them confidence and encourages them to keep trying to pursue what is right
• Consistently tell your sons and daughters that you love them, remind them that you love them for who they are, not for what they have done

Osborne’s Fatherhood Initiative not only teaches these Fatherhood Buzz Tips in the classroom, but they provide fathers the opportunity to use these tips by attending special events with their children. Recently, Osborne’s Fatherhood Initiative organized and provided for their participants and their children to attend a Yankee’s game, visit the New York Aquarium, and explore the Bronx Zoo. These events provided an avenue for fathers to create special memories and build trust with their child(ren).

Interested in Fatherhood Buzz tips you could use at home with your child?

Creating special moments with your children helps strengthen your relationship, improve communication, and improve their self-esteem. Spending quality time together doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some ideas to get started!

• Tell your favorite childhood stories to your children
• Read aloud to your child
• Share old photos of yourself
• Prepare a family meal together
• Turn off the TV and play a board game together
• Do an outside activity with your children, like a nature walk, gardening, or bike riding
• Do an arts and crafts project, like creating a family album or draw pictures

For more information regarding your questions about parenting and fatherhood in the United States, check out our Tips for Parenting, or visit us at fatherhood.gov!