According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Everyone older than 6 months is recommended for flu vaccination with rare exception. The following lists include all people recommended to get the flu vaccine, those who are not recommended to receive either the flu shot or the nasal spray vaccine, and those who should take certain precautions before getting vaccinated. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions regarding which flu vaccine options are best for you and your family.

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All persons aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually, with rare exceptions.

Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for persons who are at increased risk for severe complications from influenza, or who are at high risk for influenza-related outpatient, emergency department, or hospital visits. When vaccine supply is limited, vaccination efforts should focus on delivering vaccination to the following persons (no hierarchy is implied by order of listing):

  • are aged 6 months through 4 years (59 months);
  • are aged 50 years and older;
  • have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
  • are immunosuppressed (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus);
  • are or will be pregnant during the influenza season;
  • are aged 6 months through 18 years and receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;
  • are residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities;
  • are American Indians/Alaska Natives;
  • are morbidly obese (body-mass index is 40 or greater);
  • are health-care personnel;
  • are household contacts and caregivers of children aged younger than 5 years and adults aged 50 years and older, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged younger than 6 months; and
  • are household contacts and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

Cherry Street Health Services provides flu shots. Talk to you provider.

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