You may not think the flu is a big deal, but each year, about 20,000 children under 5 are hospitalized and 100 die from it. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that all kids between 6 months and 18 years of age (except those with an egg allergy) get the flu shot.

Even though it may not prevent all strains of the virus, the vaccine can still lessen the severity and prevent complications such as pneumonia. Ask for a mercury-free shot since some are still made with a mercury-based preservative, says Bob Sears, MD, author of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child. Another option: the nasal spray vaccine, which is approved for healthy kids 2 and older who don’t have asthma.