Flu Shots
November 9, 2008 by rainier
Who should get a flu shot:
Anyone at risk for the flu should have a flu shot. This includes:
* Children ages 6 months to 18 years
* Adults over age 50
* Anyone living in a long term care facility
* People with weakened immune systems
* People with frequent exposure to the general public (healthcare workers, police, firefighters, etc.)
* Pregnant women
* Children ages 5 to 18 who take daily aspirin therapy
* Anyone with a chronic medical condition
* Caregivers or family members in close contact with high risk individuals
If there is no shortage of the vaccine, healthy people should also get a flu shot to reduce their risk of catching and spreading the flu.
Who should NOT get a flut shot:
Anyone with:
* An allergy to eggs
* Fever
* History of Guillain-Barre syndrome
* Previous adverse reaction to a flu shot
* Infants under 6 months old
How the flu shot is administered:
The flu vaccine is generally given as a shot in the upper arm or thigh (in children). It is also available as a nasal spray vaccine, but the inhaled form is not for use by children under 2 years old, people with weakened immune systems, or people with asthma.
Are there any side effects:
Most side effects from the flu shot are minor. Some of the more common side effects include:
* Low grade fever
* Soreness at injection site
* Decreased energy
