Prevention through Vaccination
Vaccination is the most often the best way to prevent influenza. An appropriately vaccinated community suffers much less during flu season. Our national vaccination campaign targets those at high risk of either doing poorly with the flu, getting the flu or spreading the flu. Individuals over 50, those with underlying chronic illnesses, and women pregnant during the flu season are urged to get a flu vaccine. In the pediatric world, the following groups are targeted for immunization:
- Children between six months and 23 months
- Children over six months with underlying heart or lung disease, including asthma
- Children with metabolic, kidney, and certain blood diseases and the immunosuppressed
- Any child on chronic aspirin therapy
Others who should optimally receive the vaccine include household contacts of high-risk individuals, day care and medical personnel, and those working or living in long-term care residential facilities. For children older than five, a second, newer vaccine option is available via a nasal spray. No influenza vaccine is currently available for infants under six months.
Not sure where to go to get the vaccine? Check with a local health department, a pharmacy, or your physician.