Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, flu places a large burden on the health and well-being of children and families. Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old. Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications. Some children will die from the flu each year. During the 2007-08 flu season, CDC received reports that 86 children died from influenza-related complications. Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old. Children with chronic health problems like asthma and diabetes are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications. This fact sheet presents vaccine recommendations and describes which children are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications.