Flu/Pneumonia FAQ

Who should get vaccinated?

Inactivated influenza vaccine can be given to people 6 months of age and older. It is recommended for  people who are at risk of complications from influenza, and for  people who can spread influenza to those at high risk (including all household members):

People at high risk for complications from influenza:

• People 65 years of age and older.
• Residents of long-term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions.
• People who have long-term health problems with:
       - heart disease - kidney disease
       - lung disease - metabolic disease, such as diabetes
       - asthma - anemia, and other blood disorders
• People with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or severe cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems.
• People with a weakened immune system due to:
       - HIV/AIDS or other diseases affecting the immune system
       - long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids
       - cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
• People 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (these people could develop Reye
     Syndrome if they got influenza).
• Women who will be pregnant during influenza season.
• All children 6-59 months of age.
• People who can spread influenza to those at high risk:
• Household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of children from 0-59 months of age.
• Physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza.

Influenza vaccine is also recommended for adults 50-64 years of age and anyone else who wants to reduce their chance of getting influenza.

A yearly influenza vaccination should be considered for:

• People who provide essential community services.
• People living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks.
• People at high risk of influenza complications who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September, or to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall.

Every year in the United States, on average:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
• about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms of flu include:

• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Is an infection of the lungs, bloodstream, and/or the brain. Pneumococcal pneumonia begins suddenly with symptoms which may include severe chills, high fever, cough and stabbing chest pain. The pneumococcal vaccine can protect you against the most common causes of bacterial pneumonia. If you do get pneumonia, the effects will be much less severe and protect you from the life-threatening illnesses associated with pneumonia.

Most people only need the shot once. If you were over 65 years of age when you got the shot, you do not need another. If you were 65 years or younger, and it has been 5 years since you received the pneumococcal vaccine, you should be re-vaccinated.

There are very few side effects; the most common is soreness at the site of the injection

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.