Influenza Immunization (Vaccine)

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Immunization schedule

The vaccine is recommended for high-risk people 6 months and older as well as those in contact with them (including household contacts):

• all people 50 years or older
• adults and children with chronic lung or heart disease
• people with sickle cell anemia and other hemoglobinopathies
• residents of nursing homes (extended care facilities)
• residents of any institution housing people with chronic health problems
• people with kidney disease, anemia, severe asthma, or chronic metabolic illnesses (such as diabetes or chronic liver disease)
• people with immunological deficits (including those with cancer or HIV/AIDS)
• people receiving long-term treatment with steroids for any condition
• pregnant women who will be past the 3rd month of pregnancy during the flu season (you may want to consider requesting the mercury-free flu vaccine)
• children and teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy

• health care personnel in hospital, outpatient, extended care facilities, and home health care
• family members attending to the needs of high-risk people in their home

The influenza vaccine is encouraged for:

• healthy children 6-23 months of age and their contacts/caretakers
• household contacts/caretakers of infants less than 6 months of age
• people who provide essential community services
• people living in dormitories or other crowded conditions
• anyone who wants to reduce their change of getting influenza

Children under age 9 require two shots one month apart the first time that they receive influenza vaccine. Other people require a single shot each year.