The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends anyone six months or older receive a flu shot. However, people with severe life-threatening allergic reactions to the flu shot should not receive the vaccine. There are different flu shots for people of different ages and flu shots approved for pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions. It is especially important for anyone with a high risk of complications from the flu to get a flu shot each year. How do you know if you’re high risk? Here’s a brief overview:
Children
Children five years old and younger are more likely to need medical attention if they contract the flu virus. Severe flu complications are common in children two and younger. Annually, 20,000 children five and younger are hospitalized due to the flu. Last year 146 children died from the flu. Children six months to eight years old may need two doses of flu vaccine. Your health care provider will be able to tell you if your child requires both doses or not.
Over the age of 65
Adults over the age of 65 are at an increased risk of complications from the flu due to weakened immune systems. This age group is also the most affected by the flu each year, with an estimated 80 to 90 percent of flu deaths and 50 to 70 percent of hospitalization from the flu among adults over the age of 65.
Pregnant Women
Due to changes in the immune system, heart and lungs during pregnancy, women who are pregnant are more likely to suffer complications from the flu than women who are not pregnant. The flu also poses risks to the unborn child including premature labor and delivery. When a pregnant mother receives the flu shot, it has been found to protect both mom and baby up to six months old.
Nursing Home Residents
Anyone living in a long-term assisted living facility, like a nursing home, may be at greater risk of exposure and complications of the flu. Due to the probability of an outbreak of the flu in one of these facilities, the CDC recommends all residents receive the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) annually before flu season.
American Indians and Alaskan Natives
Native elders are more likely to develop serious complications from the flu as it causes health conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart disease and lung disease to worsen. The flu and pneumonia are the leading cause of death among native elders.
With the following conditions:
-Asthma
-COPD
-Heart Disease
-Blood Disorders
-Endocrine Disorders
-Kidney Disorders
-Liver Disorders
-Metabolic Disorders
-Weakened Immune System
-Under the age of 19 on long-term aspirin use
-BMI of 40 or greater
If you are high risk for complications of the flu, talk to your health care provider and make sure you are vaccinated prior to the spread of the flu.
The flu vaccine is now available at all Utica Park Clinic primary care locations. To schedule an appointment, please contact your health care provider. However, you do not need to schedule an appointment to receive the flu shot at our Urgent Care Clinic at 9245 S. Mingo in Tulsa.