Asthma is the most common chronic medical condition affecting children today. Nearly 5 million children have asthma in the United States, and it is a constant threat to their well-being.

Asthma is a type of allergic condition in which the lungs are hypersensitive to irritants. Children with asthma are especially susceptible to infections involving the nose, mouth, and the rest of the lungs. A child without asthma may catch a cold and recover without suffering any significant problems, but children with asthma can get extremely ill and even die if they become infected by the same virus.

Since asthmatics tend to become much sicker when they catch the flu, the flu vaccine is recommended yearly for those affected by asthma. In addition, many children with severe asthma take medication that contains corticosteroid as part of their daily treatment. The corticosteroid can further reduce their immune system and make them even more susceptible to infections. This makes the annual administration of the flu vaccine more essential.