Young or Old, Vaccine Lessens Risk of Flu

How do you prepare for winter? Do you bring out your cold-weather clothes, move snow shovels to the front of the garage, schedule your flu vaccination? That's right – receiving the flu vaccine each year should be a top priority for many people of all ages.

FLu Vaccines Clinics Prevea Health offers its patients – of all ages – several opportunities to receive the vaccine. For a complete list of flu vaccine clinics for Prevea patients, click here.     Or if you have an appointment scheduled with your physician in October or November, ask him/her about receiving the flu vaccine right then and there. That way, you don't need to make a special trip to get the vaccine at a later date.

Most cases of the flu (influenza) occur from January through March; however, the best time to protect yourself from this potentially serious virus is October or November.

The flu vaccine is recommended annually for anyone who wants to lessen their risk of getting the flu. Certain people, though, are considered more at risk of developing complications and are encouraged to receive the vaccine.

In recent years, children 6 to 59 months old have been added to the list of those people who should be vaccinated. Others who should receive the flu vaccine are:

• pregnant women 
• people 50 and older 
• people with certain chronic medical conditions 
• people who live in nursing homes and other long-term facilities
• People who live with or care for those at risk for complications from the flu also should be vaccinated, including parents of children 6 to 59 months old.