Not much can ruin the holiday season, but failing ill can put a damper on even the jolliest celebration.

Seasonal flu vaccines are now available for those that wish to proactively stay healthy through the colder months of the year.

Mississippi State Department of Health county clinics now offer seasonal pediatric flu vaccines, but not adult flu vaccines.

People are more often exposed to the flu at an early age.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu is more dangerous for children than many other illnesses.

On average, 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of flu complications each year.

It is important to keep yourself, as well as your loved ones, protected, which means doing your part by being vaccinated.

Especially in the homes of those who take care of children.

The flu can spread quickly, which raises the importance of the need to receive vaccinations every season.

Because children under 6-months-old cannot receive this vaccination, caretakers should take the initiative to make sure the infants they care for are safe.

To this day, and for bad reasoning, I can remember a Christmas I was ill with the flu.

I couldn’t spend time with my family and I couldn’t enjoy what is arguably the best day of the year for children and families alike.

The holidays are meant to be shared with those who you love, not quarantined in your room with the flu.

People with the highest risk are young children, adults over 65-years-old, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses, the MSDH news release states.

Being vaccinated is one thing, but being proactive and telling your loved ones to also get a seasonal flu shot will help avoid any misfortune during the holiday season and allow you to spend time with your family.