Generally, anybody who needs to lessen the probability of getting seasonal flu can get seasonal flu shots. Nonetheless, it is suggested by ACIP that specific people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious seasonal flu-related complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious seasonal flu-related issues. Throughout flu seasons when vaccine materials are sparse or delayed, ACIP makes suggestions regarding priority groups for vaccination.
People who should get the seasonal Flu Shots each year are:
- Kids between the ages of 6 months and 19 years
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in long-term care facilities (like nursing homes)
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at large risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and caregivers of children less than 5 years old with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children less than 6 months old (these children are at higher risk of flu-related complications)