health fairs. Who should get a flu shot
Almost anyone who wants to improve their chances of having a flu free winter can benefit from immunization with this year's influenza vaccine.
Who is at high risk for influenza?
- Anyone 65 years old and older
- Any adult or child (6months+) suffering with long-term illnesses
such as:
- AIDS
- anemia
- cancer
- cystic fibrosis
- diabetes
- immunological disorders
- HIV
- heart conditions
- kidney disease
- lung problems including asthma, emphysema
- Anyone with a medical condition requiring close supervision of a physician
- Anyone who has required hospitalization in the past year
- Children 6 months-18 years old who are receiving long term Aspirin (A.S.A) therapy (Infection with the Influenza virus could cause these children to develop Reye's syndrome, a serious disorder which affects the brain and liver)
- Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
during the flu season
- Residents of nursing homes, and other chronic care facilities
- Health care workers
- Community service workers and volunteers
- Students, teachers, child care workers and others working or learning in institutional settings
- People who travel frequently and anyone traveling to the tropics
- Family and household contacts of all high-risk groups
Who shouldn't get a flu shot?
The following individuals should not receive the influenza vaccine:
- Children under 6 months old
- Individuals with allergies to eggs (chicken eggs are used in the production of the vaccine)
- Anyone with an allergy to Thimerosol (a preservative present in contact lens solutions and the flu vaccine)