The fall season brings the changing of the leaves, thoughts of the Holidays, and Influenza. However, by getting a flu vaccine this season you will dramatically decrease your chances of both getting influenza and passing it to others. But, who really needs the vaccine?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, certain populations have an increased need for the vaccine:
Children
Beginning with this flu season, all children ages 6 months to 18 years should receive an annual flu vaccination. If this is the child’s first time receiving the vaccine and they are 8 years old or less, then they should receive 2 vaccines spaced at least 4 weeks apart. If the child received one dose of flu vaccine last year and it was their first dose then they should receive 2 doses this season also. Then the child needs only one dose in the following years thereafter.
Health Care Personnel and Caregivers
Persons who are otherwise healthy, but can transmit the Influenza virus to others should receive an annual influenza vaccine. This group includes:
Employees of assisted living centers or other environments of high-risk groups.
Home care providers to persons in high-risk groups.
Household contacts, children included, of high risk groups.
Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers for children aged 5 years or less.
All contacts for children under 6 months of age.
Close Contacts of Immunocompromised Persons
Close contacts of persons who are severely immunosuppressed such as persons with stem cell transplants or other types of organ or tissue transplantation should receive annual flu vaccine to help prevent transmission of influenza to these patient populations.
Household contacts of other patient populations with lesser degrees of immunosupression such as HIV, diabetes, or persons taking steroid medications should also have an annual flu vaccine.
Pregnant Women and Breastfeeding Mothers
Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season should receive the influenza vaccine. Women who are breastfeeding should also have the vaccine. Children ages less than 5 years old have a higher risk of complications from influenza and are at greater risk for requiring hospitalization from the influenza virus.
Travelers
Anyone who is planning to travel should consider obtaining the influenza vaccine at least 2 weeks before departure. This includes persons planning travel during the months of April through September. Influenza circulates in the Southern Hemisphere in the months of April – September and contact with the influenza virus is possible. This also applies to persons who are planning group travel as they may encounter persons who have been exposed to the influenza virus.
Other Persons
Any person over 50 years of age should receive an annual flu vaccination.
Persons who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus); should receive an annual vaccine.
Persons who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration need to have the annual flu vaccine.
Anyone who is living or going to be living in a group environment such as nursing home residents, group care home residents, or college students should consider having the annual influenza vaccine.
Conclusion
The flu vaccine has been proven to be an effective tool in preventing influenza, and while the vaccine cannot give you protection against all types of influenza viruses or viruses and bacteria that are not related to influenza; the flu vaccine can be a big asset in keeping you healthy during the winter months.
