Flu shots - It's important to Know

"Flu shots- It's important to Know"

The flu virus causes a respiratory illness characterized by abrupt onset of fever, muscle soreness, sore throat, and nonproductive cough. It can cause severe malaise lasting several days.
People who should get vaccinated each year are:

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
- Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
- Pregnant women,
- People 50 years of age and older,
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (including Diabetes), and
- People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
- Health care workers.
3. Anyone who wants to decrease their risk of influenza.
Despite what some people say, the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. It contains no "live" viruses.
Some people coincidentally catch a cold a week or two following immunization. This is not a result of their flu shot, the flu is not a cold.
To be protected, you must be immunized every year. Flu viruses vary from year to year, and the flu vaccine addresses these changes.
Some people are not candidates for immunization and should seek medical advice before getting a flu shot.

References

Prevention and Control of Influenza. MMR. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 25, 1997. Vol. 46.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and Control of Influenza: part 1, Vaccines. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. 1994; 43 (No. RR-9):1-13.

Last Reviewed: 07/01/2008