Who Should Get the Seasonal Flu Vaccine?

Everyone! For the first time, all people 6 months and older are recommended for annual influenza vaccination. This year's flu vaccine will protect against three viruses (an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season).

While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it's especially important that people in the following groups get vaccinated, either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:

Pregnant women (any trimester), Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old, People 65 years of age and older, People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, Persons 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.

Watch local media outlets for dates and times of upcoming clinics or call the Pulaski County Health Department 574-946-6080 for details.

Seasonal Flu Clinics Coming Soon!

Did You Know?

Flu is unpredictable and can be severe. In the United States between 5% and 20% of the population gets the flu each flu season. It's estimated that more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized from flu-related complications on average each season, including 20,000 children younger than 5 years old; and  the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that flu-associated deaths in the U.S. ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people between 1976 and 2006.

The CDC recommends a three-step approach to protect against the flu:

1.      Take time to get a flu vaccine;

2.      Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs (including frequent hand washing and staying home when sick); and

3.      Take flu antiviral drugs when your doctor prescribes them. 

Getting a flu vaccine is easy, and it is the first and most important step you can take in protecting yourself and your loved ones from flu. There are any number of places where you can get your vaccine, including your local health department, vaccination clinics, doctors' offices, retail pharmacies, and some schools and workplaces.

Flu vaccines for this season will be available in our community soon and CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can start early or run late, and the flu vaccine provides protection that lasts through a full flu season.