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Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

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Flu season can start as early as October and can last as late as March. Getting a flu shot in the fall is the best way to keep from getting the flu. The best time to get vaccinated is in October or November, but getting a flu shot in December is also beneficial. Anyone who wants to reduce his or her risk of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, there are certain groups of people who should be vaccinated every year. The first group is people who are at high risk for complications from the flu. This includes people who are 65 and older; people in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities; adults and children 6 months and older with chronic lung or heart conditions; adults and children 6 months and older who have weakened immune systems, have suffered a metabolic disease in the last years, or have chronic kidney disease; children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin; women who are pregnant during flu season; all children 6 to 23 months of age; and people who have a condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling or respiratory secretions. The second group who should receive vaccinations is all people ages 50-64 years of age. This is because nearly one-third of all people in this age bracket have a medical condition that could increase their risk of developing complications from the flu. The last group of people who should receive a flu shot is any person who can transmit the flu to others who are at high risk for complication. This includes anyone who is in close contact with someone in a high-risk group, such as health care workers, household contacts, or out-of-home caregivers of children ages 6 to 23 months.

There are people who should not be vaccinated without consulting a physician. This includes: people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, people who have reacted severely to influenza vaccinations in the past, people who have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks after receiving a flu shot in the past, children less than 6 months of age, and people who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever. If you are unsure whether or not you should get a flu shot, consult your physician.

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