General Health Blog.

Should You Get Flu Vaccine?

The vaccines (both inactivated and live attenuated type) of influenza (including swine flu) generally have to be given every year to get full protection. The vaccines are not recommended to all the individuals and only selected individuals should be vaccinated yearly. If you fall in the group mentioned below, you should get flu vaccine shot

The annual vaccine of influenza is recommended among the following individuals:

1. Children of 6 months up to 5 years of age.
2. Individuals of more than 50 years of age (but live attenuated vaccine is recommended in persons of 5 years to 50 years of age only).
3. Individuals of 6 months to 18 years of age who are receiving long term aspirin (for any cause) as they are at high risk of developing Reye’s syndrome if they contract influenza.
4. Health care workers (doctors, nurses, paramedical staffs and other health care related) who are at high risk of contracting swine flu due to professional contacts.
5. Persons with high risk for influenza-related complications, including healthy household contacts of and caregivers for children from birth through 59 months of age.
6. Individuals (adults as well as children) with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma.
7. Individuals (adults and children) who have any medical condition like cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders (epilepsy), neuromuscular disorders etc. that can compromise respiratory function.
8. Individuals who handle respiratory secretions.
9. Individuals (adults and children) who need regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (like diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or any immunodeficiency disorders like immunodeficiency caused by medications or by HIV, as they are at high risk of developing complications if they contract influenza (including swine flu).

==================================================