Every year in the United States, five to 20 percent of the population contracts the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious complications from seasonal influenza.

The single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. Persons, especially those at high risk for serious complications and their close contacts, are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as vaccine is available at their doctors’ offices or in their communities. It is not too early to get a flu vaccine as soon as it is available, even in August or September. The protection you get from the vaccine will not wear off before the flu season is over.

Please be aware that the seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 influenza virus. There are efforts underway to develop a safe and effective novel H1N1 vaccine. Remember to wash your hands frequently and after coughing or sneezing and to sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow.

The CDC recommends the flu vaccine to all children 6 months and older and all older adults:

• All children from 6 months through 18 years of age.

• Anyone 50 years of age or older.

Anyone who is at risk of complications from influenza, or more likely to require medical care:

• Women who will be pregnant during influenza season.**MUST BRING A DOCTOR”S NOTE**

• Anyone with long-term health problems with:
 - chronic heart disease
 - kidney disease
 - liver disease
 - chronic lung disease
 - metabolic disease, such as diabetes
 - asthma
 - anemia, and other blood disorders

• Anyone with a weakened immune system and their contacts, 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

• Anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems.

• Anyone 6 months through 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (they could develop Reye Syndrome if they got influenza).

• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

Anyone who lives with or cares for people at high risk for influenza-related complications:

• Health care providers.

• Household contacts and caregivers of children from birth up to 5 years of age.

• Household contacts and caregivers of
 - people 50 years and older, or
 - anyone with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

• People who provide essential community services.

• People living in dormitories, correctional facilities, 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.

Influenza vaccine is also recommended for anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or spreading influenza to others.

Contraindications to receiving the vaccine are:

• Severe (life-threatening) allergies. Allergic reactions to influenza vaccine are rare.
 - Influenza vaccine virus is grown in eggs. People with a severe egg allergy should not get the vaccine.
 - A severe allergy to any vaccine component is also a reason to not get the vaccine.
 - If you have had a severe reaction after a previous dose of the influenza vaccine, tell your doctor.

• Tell your provider if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS). You may be able to get the vaccine, but your doctor should help you make the decision.

• People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting flu vaccine. If you are ill, talk to your doctor or nurse about whether to reschedule the vaccination. People with a mild illness can usually get the vaccine.