Flu Information

Everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine this season. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the United States to expand protection against the flu to more people.

While everyone should get a flu vaccine this season, it’s especially important for some people to get vaccinated.

Those people include the following:

• People who are at high risk of developing serious complications (like pneumonia) if they get sick with the flu.
  • People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  • Pregnant women.
  • People younger than 5 years (and especially those younger than 2), and people 65 years and older.
  • A complete list is available at People Who Are at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications.
• People who live with or care for others who are at high risk of developing serious complications (see list above).
  • Household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  • Household contacts and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old.
  • Health care personnel.

Flu information courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)

Persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to a prior dose of influenza vaccine, or who are known to have a severe allergy to a vaccine component (except egg) should not be vaccinated with the influenza vaccine at this time.​ Precautions to vaccination include moderate or severe acute illness at the time the vaccine is to be given, or history of Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of a dose of influenza vaccine.  There is no evidence that the injectable form of the vaccine causes influenza, and a history of illness after getting the vaccine is not a reason for a vaccine exemption.