Every 6 months of age and older, a flu vaccine should be given every season. Vaccination is especially crucial for individuals at high danger of severe influenza complications. See People at High Risk for Developing Flu-Related Complications for a complete list of age and health variables that contribute to enhanced risk.

Vaccination against flu has significant advantages. It can decrease flu disease, visits by physicians, and missed job and college due to influenza, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. It has also been shown that the flu vaccine is life-saving in kids. In reality, the 2017 research showed that flu vaccination can considerably decrease the risk of dying from influenza in children.

Various flu vaccines are approved for use in various groups of individuals. In kids as young as 6 months of age, there are approved flu shots and flu shots authorized for use in adults 65 years of age and older. For use in pregnant females and individuals with chronic health circumstances, flu shots are also suggested.  The vaccine for nasal spray flu is approved for use in non-pregnant people aged 2 years to 49 years. The nasal spray flu vaccine should not be given to people with certain medical circumstances.

There are a number of vaccine choices to choose from.  One flu vaccine is not recommended by CDC over another. The most useful thing is to get a flu vaccine each year for all individuals 6 months and older. Talk to your doctor or other health care professional if you have questions about which vaccine is best for you.

You should get a flu vaccine before your community starts spreading flu. It requires approximately two weeks to evolve in the body after vaccination for antibodies that safeguard against flu. CDC proposes that by the end of October people receive a flu vaccine.

Children who need to be protected by two doses of vaccine should begin the vaccination cycle earlier, as the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

The content of this post is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, or as a substitute for the medical advice of your physician.