Centers for Disease Control Recommendations for 2006

The following are the priority groups which should be targeted to receive inactivated influenza vaccine (i.e., the flu shot) each year:

• Persons aged 50 years and older, with and without chronic health conditions

• Residents of long-term care facilities

• Persons aged 2–64 years with chronic health conditions

• Children aged 6–59 months

• Pregnant women

• Health-care personnel who provide direct patient care

• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children aged < 6 months

   

Influenza and Pneumonia facts.

INFLUENZA 

1. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the only type of influenza vaccine that has been licensed in the United States to the present time is made from killed influenza viruses, which CANNOT cause infection. Less than 1/3 of those who receive vaccine have some soreness at the vaccination site and about 5-10% experience mild side effects, such as headache or low-grade fever for about one day after vaccination. These side effects are most likely to occur in children who have not been exposed to influenza virus in the past.
   

2. Vaccine efficacy varies from one person to another. Studies of healthy, young adults have shown influenza vaccine to be 70%-90% effective in preventing illness.
   

3. Although only a few different influenza viruses circulate at any given time, people continue to get ill with the flu throughout their lives. The reason is that the viruses are continually changing, usually as a result of mutation in the viral genes. The vaccine contains killed viruses representing three different strains. Each year the vaccine is updated to include the most current influenza virus strains and it is suggested that individuals get their shot every year.
   

4. The flu season typically peaks from January through March. Vaccine supply for this fall is sufficient to vaccinate the "at risk" population as well as healthy individuals.

PNEUMONIA 

1. Current strains of pneumonia are proving to be resistant to today's antibiotics. Therefore anyone that is a healthy adult over age 50 should get a pneumonia shot.
   

2. People age 50 and with chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease (emphysema), renal or liver disease, cancer or sickle cell are considered high risk and are advised to get a shot.
   

3. The vaccine protects against the 23 most prevalent types of pneumonia that can cause not only pneumonia but also meningitis or middle ear infections.
   

4. Pneumonia vaccine is found to be 79%-82% effective in preventing pneumonia, meningitis and middle ear infections. This shot can be provided at the same time as the flu shot, but, should be administered in the opposite arm.
   

5. The most common adverse reaction to the pneumonia shot is a local reaction at the injection site to include soreness, warmth, swelling and redness. Reaction to the pneumonia injection may be more intense than a localized reaction to a flu shot.