Prevention

Influenza Vaccination

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted in 2010 for "universal" flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people.

• A flu shot is a vaccine made with inactivated or killed virus that is administered with a needle. It is approved for use in people older than six months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. There are three flu shots being produced for the United States market now.

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  • The regular seasonal flu shot is “intramuscular” which means it is injected into muscle (usually in the upper arm). It has been used for decades and is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Regular flu shots make up the bulk of the vaccine supply produced for the United States.
  • A hi-dose vaccine for people 65 and older which also is intramuscular. This vaccine was first made available during the 2010-2011 season.
  • An intradermal vaccine for people 18 to 64 years of age which is injected with a needle into the “dermis” or skin. This vaccine is being made available for the first time for the 2011-2012 season.
   
• A nasal spray is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. It is approved for healthy people age 5 to 49 who are not pregnant. People who have asthma, diabetes or other long-term health problems should not receive FluMist.

Pneumococcal Vaccination

Many people who have experienced serious and sometimes fatal complications from influenza have also been infected with streptococcus pneumoniae (a major cause of pneumonia).

Pneumococcal vaccination and Children

• CDC recommends that children under 5 receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7)
• Children greater than two years old who are at high risk of pneumococcal disease may also receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)

Pneumococcal vaccination and Adults

• All individuals over 65 should receive the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)
• The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) should also be administered to all persons 2-64 years with high risk conditions