The flu virus is common and unpredictable, and it can cause serious complications and death — even in healthy children.

Despite studies proving that flu vaccinations are a lifesaver, less than half of all children in the United States (and even fewer parents) are immunized each year.

Fear and misinformation cause many families to take their chances with this potentially fatal respiratory virus.

One recent survey from Ipsos Public Affairs, a social-research company, found 16 percent of Americans consider the vaccine to be unsafe and 35 percent believe the vaccine causes the flu.

As a result of these myths, children continue to die from an illness that is largely preventable. Because awareness and education are keys to making lifesaving decisions about your family’s health, we gathered the facts to bust the myths.

MYTH: The flu is not serious for children.

MYTH-BUSTER: Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of flu complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 101 children died from the flu in the 2016-017 season.

Severe flu complications are most common in children younger than 2, and children with chronic health problems, like asthma and diabetes, are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.

An unvaccinated child is not only at risk but also can put others at risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual influenza immunization for all people ages 6 months and older, including children.

MYTH: My baby already gets too many shots.

MYTH-BUSTER: Doctors hear this from many parents, but they want moms and dads to understand children ages 6-months-old to 5-years-old are at a high risk of serious flu-related complications like pneumonia, dehydration and hospitalization.

A child’s immature immune system is still developing the ability to make antibodies to fight off sickness.

That’s why kids 8 and under who are vaccinated for the first time need two separate doses at least 28 days apart. The first one primes their immune system, while the second starts providing protection.

These children should receive their first dose as soon as the vaccine is available in their community, so that they have time to get the second dose before the flu season begins. The flu vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, but at a different place on the body.

MYTH: We didn’t get our kids vaccinated right away, and now it’s too late.

MYTH-BUSTER: Flu can continue to spread as late as May. Getting vaccinated early is still a good idea, though, because it takes about two weeks for the body to develop antibodies to fight flu.

THE MYTH: The vaccine can cause the flu.

MYTH-BUSTER: It’s impossible for the killed/inactivated viruses in the flu shot to cause illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the side effects — which are mild and short-lived compared to the actual flu — indicate your body is building up antibodies to fight the flu.

The most common side effects are pain and tenderness at the site of injection.

Fever is also seen within 24 hours after immunization in approximately 10 to 35 percent of children younger than 2 years of age but rarely in older children and adults.

These symptoms are usually mild and resolve on their own in a couple of days.

If you or your child truly gets sick with the flu soon after being vaccinated, it usually means the virus had entered your system prior to or shortly after you got the vaccine.

Mary Ellen Pratt is St. James Parish Hospital CEO. She can be reached at info@sjph.org.