Who should be vaccinated?
Current guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that vaccination is recommended for anyone 6 months or older.1
Although vaccination is recommended for everyone, the following groups of people are at higher risk. 2,3
Children and adolescents
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old*
- Those aged 6 months* to 18 years, who take long-term aspirin therapy
Adults and children with certain chronic medical conditions
- Those with chronic heart or lung problems or asthma
- Those with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury]
- Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
- Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
- Kidney disorders
- Liver disorders
- Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
- Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
- People who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index, or BMI, of 40 or greater)
Healthy adults
- Women who will be pregnant during flu season
- People aged >50 years
Seniors
- Residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
Caregivers and health workers
- People who live with or look after someone else in a high-risk group
- Families and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
- Healthcare workers
*Influenza vaccines are not currently indicated for children less than 6 months of age.
Novartis Vaccines currently does not have influenza vaccines for those under the age of 4.
What else to do to protect yourself and others
The CDC advises that you:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- If you are sick, avoid contact with others. Stay home from work or school, and avoid running errands if possible
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (and teach children to do the same)
- Wash your hands often to remove viruses and germs. You can pick up the influenza virus by touching something that someone with the flu has already touched. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands
Take this quiz to find out if you or a loved one is at risk for influenza and its complications
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza recommendation 2010-2011 press release. CDC Web site.www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100224.htm. Accessed August 23, 2010.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal flu vaccine. CDC Web site.www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm. Accessed September 9, 2010.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications. CDC Web site.www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Accessed September 9, 2010.
