Answer: Experts from the Centers of Disease Control conclude that everyone over the age of 6 months should receive the flu vaccination. The following groups are at a higher risk of developing the flu:

1)      Pregnant women

2)      Children younger than 5

3)      People age 50 or older

4)      People of any age with serious medical conditions

5)      People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities

6)      People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

    a.       Health care workers

    b.      Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

    c.       Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age

This year the flu vaccine will protect against three viruses, including the H1N1 virus. For people older than 6 months, the “flu-shot” is recommended. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is approved for use in healthy people ages 2 to 49 and who are not pregnant.

The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that contains a killed virus. The nasal-spray flu vaccine contains a live, weakened virus that CANNOT cause the flu. Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as the vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, which includes December, January, and beyond.