Should you get a flu shot this year? 

One way to know for certain is to ask your doctor, but the guide below will let you know if you are in a high risk catagory for complications (pneumonia, etc.) for influenza or "the flu".  There are three catagories of people who should get Flu Shot annually - those at risk for complications from the flu, those who may expose those who are at risk and those who wish to have a Flu Shot for thier health's sake.

Groups At Risk for Complications from Influenza

A yearly flu shot is recommended for the following groups of people who are at increased risk for serious complications from the flu:

• Persons aged >50 years;* 
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house persons of any age who have long-term illnesses; 
• Adults and children > 6 months of age who have chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma; 
• Adults and children > 6 months of age who need regular medical care or had to be in a hospital because of metabolic diseases (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicine or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus {HIV/AIDS); 
• Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are on long-term aspirin therapy and therefore could develop Rene syndrome after the flu; and 
• Women who will be more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season.

*People 50-64 years of age who do not have chronic (long-term) medical conditions might not be at high risk for serious complications from the flu.  However, about 26% of people aged 50-64 years have high-risk conditions and are at increased risk for flu-related complications.  Beginning in 2000, a flu shot was recommended for all people 50-64 years old each year to increase the number of high-risk 50-64 year olds who get a flu shot. 
 

Persons Who Can Give the Flu to People Who Are At High Risk for Complications Should Get a Flu Shot

Persons with the flu can give it to other people. To help prevent flu among people at high risk for complications, the following people should get a flu shot:

• Doctors, nurses, and other employees in hospitals and doctors’ offices, including emergency response workers;
• Employees of nursing homes and long-term care facilities who have contact with patients or residents;
• Employees of assisted living and other residences for people in high-risk groups;
• People who provide home care to those in high-risk groups; and 

• Household members (including children) of people in high-risk groups. 
   

Flu Prevention for the General Population

Anyone who wants to lower their chances of getting the flu (the shot can be administered to children as young as 6 months) can get a flu shot. Persons who provide essential community services (such as police, firemen, etc.) should consider getting a flu shot to minimize disruption of essential activities during flu outbreaks. Students or others in institutional settings (those who reside in dormitories) should be encouraged to get a flu shot.
 

Who Should Not Get a Flu Shot

The following groups should not get a flu shot before talking with their doctor:

• People who are have a severe allergy to hens’ eggs or feathers
• People who have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past
• People who previously developed Guerlain-Barry syndrome (GBS) in the 6 weeks after getting a flu shot

When Should You Schedule Your Flu Shot?

You should call your doctor and schedule an appointment for mid-October.  Mid-October thru Thanksgiving are the optimal times to get a Flu Shot.  It takes about six weeks for the shot to cause your body to produce protective antibodies to the flu virus.  Getting your shot in the optimal time period will give you protective antibodies in time for the flu season.  If you are in the at risk catagory your local Health Unit may offer you a flu shot for a nominal charge.  Call and request information on obtaining a flu shot from them.  Some drug stores offer flu shots also for a nominal fee - look in the paper or call your local pharmacy to see if they offer this service.  Medicare part B cover the flu shot.

Remember that 2-3 days after you have your Flu Shot you will have mild flu-like symptoms - mild fever, muscle aches, tiredness,  etc.  This does NOT mean the Flu Shot gave you the flu, it simply means that your body's immune systems has been turned on and is getting ready to fight off the flu. 

Your arm may swell and get red at the injection site.  This is common.  An ice pack will relieve the swelling and soreness.

Taking you regular pain/fever reliever BEFORE the flu shot and as recomended for 72 hours after the flu shot will help with the arm soreness, muscle aches and mild fever.

Flu Shots are around 75% effective, so getting the flu shot does not mean you won't get the flu.  You may get a mild case if the flu season runs long.  The flu season is December thru March.

You need to get a Flu Shot every year as the flu virus mutates slightly each flu season and you will not be immune to the next seasons's virus.

This advice is simply my own opinion and CDC's recommendations and is not intend to serve as medical advice.

Visit the CDC website for more health information cdc.gov

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