Not supplements. Harvard-certified pediatrician shares the best immunity booster for children to stay safe amid winter viruses

As temperatures drop and winter illnesses make a comeback, many parents begin hunting for the best supplement or home remedy to keep their children healthy. From vitamin C gummies to herbal syrups, the internet is full of “immune boosters” that claim to ward off infections. But one pediatric expert has stepped in to remind everyone of what really matters — and it’s not a pill or tonic.

What's the best immunity booster for kids?

Dr Anita K. Patel, a Harvard-certified pediatric critical care physician and academic researcher based in the U.S., recently took to social media to address a common question she gets from parents: What’s the best supplement to protect kids from winter viruses? Her answer was simple but backed by years of data and real-life cases - the flu vaccine.


She explained that despite all the talk about natural immunity and supplements, the flu shot remains the strongest defence against severe disease, hospitalisation, and death in children. Citing both data and heartbreaking personal experiences, Dr Patel emphasised how crucial vaccination is during flu season.

In her post, she recalled the stories of three young patients, all unvaccinated, whose lives were upended by the flu. One was a healthy student athlete preparing for college sports who developed septic shock and lung failure and sadly didn’t survive.

Another was an infant with no underlying conditions who needed weeks of life support and months of rehabilitation to recover. The third was a child battling cancer who caught the flu from a sibling who hadn’t received the shot, leading to serious complications due to her weakened immune system.

“Flu is here — we are seeing it in the community and in pediatric ICUs,” Dr Patel wrote, warning parents not to underestimate the virus as just another seasonal illness.

Experts weigh in

While her message was directed to parents globally, the situation in India paints a worrying picture. According to The Times of India, flu vaccination rates in the country remain extremely low. The vaccine is not included in the government’s Universal Immunisation Programme, which covers diseases like polio and tuberculosis.


Dr Rajeev Tickoo, a pediatrician quoted by TOI, noted that the Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends flu shots for children over six months old, with two doses during the first season. However, he pointed out that access is largely limited to private hospitals and clinics.

Experts such as Dr Neeraj Nischal of AIIMS further explained that flu vaccines are updated annually to match circulating strains and can be given via injection or nasal spray. “Because immunity wanes over time, yearly vaccination is necessary,” he added.

Former AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria also reiterated the importance of flu shots, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. The consensus among doctors is clear: no supplement or diet can replace the protective power of vaccines. As Dr Patel’s post reminds us, prevention is not about finding quick fixes but trusting proven science.