Flu Season Has Arrived!

The flu (influenza) is a serious disease that can affect people of any age. In an average year, influenza is responsible for more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the United States. Getting vaccinated is the best form of protection against this disease.

Who should get the influenza vaccine?

In general, it is recommended that anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting the flu should be vaccinated. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that these high-risk groups of people receive a flu vaccine:

• Ages 6 months to 50 and older.
  
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
• Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
  
• Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of children age 5 years and younger and adults age 50 years and older, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children age 6 months

• Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV)
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
• Healthcare personnel

Certain individuals should not be vaccinated without first consulting a healthcare professional. These people include:

• Those with a severe allergy to chicken eggs
• Those who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
  
• Children under 6 months of age
• Those who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever (these persons should wait to get vaccinated until after their symptoms lessen)

Rochester Hills Medical Center, Occupational Medicine.

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