Flu Season is Near - It’s Time to Start Planning

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as an important step in protecting against influenza.

According to the CDC, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year, including people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

Who should get vaccinated?:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and COPD
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, such as health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, and household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

It’s only September, but it’s never too early to plan for a healthy winter!

More Information About the Flu and the Flu Vaccine:

• About the Flu
• Seasonal Flu Shot - Information from the CDC

What do you think? Leave a comment below or in the Medication Forum. To stay up to date on medications get Dr. Mike’s Drug Information Newsletter.

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