The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a division of the U.S. Public Health Service, strongly recommends that certain people be vaccinated against influenza every year before the flu season begins. Children twelve years of age and younger should be given only the so-called split-virus vaccine. Children under nine years of age who have not been previously vaccinated should get two doses of split-virus vaccine, with a one-month gap between them and with the second dose given before December. Although the best time for vaccination is between October 15 and November 15, high-risk individuals who were not previously immunized may still benefit from vaccination even after a flu outbreak has begun in their communities.
Charges for a flu shot are now fully reimbursable for everyone covered by Medicare. The vaccine is also offered for a minimal fee at many public health clinics and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and it is increasingly being offered free of charge to employees of large companies. Check with your local health department or your company’s medical department or benefits office. The vaccine is also available for a fee from many private physicians.
The current U.S. Public Health Service recommendations for flu vaccination are as follows:
Groups at High Risk for Serious Influenza Complications
Every person aged 65 and older.
Infants over 6 months of age and all children and adults with chronic heart or lung disease, cystic fibrosis, a chronic metabolic disorder like diabetes, kidney disease, anemia, or severe asthma.
People of any age with cancer or an immunological disorder (in-eluding HIV infection) or those on medications that suppress immunity and lower the body’s resistance to infection.
All residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, particularly those with long-term health problems.
Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are on long-term aspirin therapy (they may be at risk of developing a life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome should they get the flu while taking aspirin).
Groups That Can Transmit Influenza to
High-Risk Persons
Physicians, nurses, and other personnel who work in a hospital, outpatient facility, nursing home, or chronic-care facility and have contact with high-risk patients in all age groups, including infants.
Health-care workers and volunteers who provide in-home care to high-risk persons.
Household members, including children, of anyone who is at high risk for serious flu complications.
Other Groups
While they are not covered by official public health recommendations, other people who might consider taking an annual flu shot include:
People like the police and firefighters who provide essential community services.
Students, teachers, day-care personnel, and others who work in institutional settings.
Pregnant women who have other medical conditions that might increase their risk of flu complications. If possible, the vaccine should be administered after the first 3 months of pregnancy. However, vaccination of high-risk women should not be delayed if they will still be in the first trimester when the flu season begins.
Foreign travelers who expect to be in tropics at any time of the year or in the southern hemisphere during April through September, when the flu season hits there. Pretravel vaccination with the previous season’s vaccine is especially important for those in high-risk categories.
Any person who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting the flu. Only cost and vaccine availability limit the ability of every young, healthy person to take an annual flu shot.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
People with extreme allergic reactions to eggs, since the virus used in the vaccine is grown in eggs and the vaccine can contain minute amounts of egg protein. • People with fever-causing illnesses, who should wait until they recover to take a flu shot.
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