The Flu

It's that time of year again when you may be concerned about getting the flu, a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Each year, you may find yourself wondering if this is the year you will get the flu, or if you had it last year, you wonder if you will get it again this year? You may also wonder if you should get vaccinated against getting the flu. Well, to help answer your questions you should start with understanding your risk for complications from the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year in the United States:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
• 36,000 people die from flu.

These facts make it critical to understand your risk for serious problems if you get the flu. Certain groups of the population are at higher risk.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot, and When?

According to the CDC, the following groups of individuals should be vaccinated:

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, 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
   • 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.
   

Who Should Not be Vaccinated?

The CDC advises that the following individuals should not get a flu shot before talking to their doctors:

People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.

Those who have had a severe reaction to the flu shot in the past.

People who previously developed Guillan-Barre syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks after getting the flu shot.

Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).

People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms subside.

Types of Flu Vaccinations

There are two types of vaccines:

• The "flu shot" - an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine"). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Empowerment Points

The flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu. Talk to your doctor about your need for a flu vaccination today.

Resources:

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Immunization Program: www.cdc.gov/nip
• ACIP 2006 Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenz: www.aahp.org
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov