Who Should Receive a Flu Shot?
Anyone who wants to avoid the flu and its complications should consider getting a flu shot. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu shot for:
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all children aged 6 months to 18 years |
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persons over the age of 50 years |
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women who will be pregnant during the influenza season |
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anyone who has chronic pulmonary (including asthmas), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus) |
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residents of nursing homesand other chronic-care facilities |
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health-care personnel |
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household contacts and caregivers of people with medical conditionsthat put them at high risk for severe complications from influenza |
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healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of people with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza |
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated?
Some people should not be vaccinated or should wait before getting vaccinated. They include:
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people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs |
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people who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past |
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people who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously |
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Children less than 6 months of age |
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People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever (These people can get vaccinated once their symptoms lessen) |
If you have questions about whether or not you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.
