The flu shot is recommended for all North Dakotans age 65 and older, regardless of their health status.

Individuals 65 and older: Even if you are in excellent health, you have a greater risk of complications if you get the flu. The best way to protect yourself and those around you is to get immunized.

• In individuals 65 and older, the vaccine is 50% to 60% effective in preventing hospitalization and 80% effective in preventing death
• More than 90% of the deaths in North Dakota related to influenza and/or pneumonia are in adults age 65 and older.
• Influenza and pneumonia are the fifth leading cause of deaths in adults older than 65

Young children are among the most likely to be hospitalized for influenza. Even if your child is in excellent health, protect his or her good health by getting the flu shot!

• Children age 6 months through 4 years are at substantially increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations and/or emergency room visits.
• The hospitalization rate for children 12 months and younger are comparable to rates among people 65 and older.
• Household contacts and other caregivers of children younger than 6 months also are recommended to receive an annual flu shot.

Infants younger than 6 months old cannot get a flu shot, but they can get the flu. This illness can be dangerous for a very young child; therefore, it is important for contacts of these infants to be vaccinated.

Children younger than 9 years old who have never been vaccinated, two shot will be needed their first year. If a child received only one dose in the first year of vaccination, two doses should be given the second year the child is vaccinated. For best protection, be sure your child gets the first shot as early as possible.

Adults and children with chronic (ongoing) health problems, including:

• Asthma or ongoing lung problems
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Diabetes

Those with lower immune systems

• Adults and children with an illness (such as HIV/AIDS or cancer) or who re receiving medical treatment (such as chemotherapy) that can lower the immune system.

Children receiving long-term aspirin therapy

• Children and teenagers between 6 months and 18 years old who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy have a risk of getting Reye Syndrome if they get the flu

It is important to remember that contacts of high-risk individuals, including health-care workers and family members, also should receive a flu shot to avoid passing the virus to these high-risk individuals.

Your daily exposure to sick people makes you far more likely to get (and give) the flu. Remember, your patients depend on you to stay healthy so you can help them stay healthy

This group includes health-care workers and employeed in long-term care facilities

In 2002, only 38% of health-care workers nationwide received their flu shot

Pregnant women also are at risk for serious medical complications from influenza and are recommended to receive a flu shot

Pregnant women are four times more likely to be hospitalized than women who are not pregnant

Household contacts or care-givers of adults and children with chronic health conditions put them at risk for severe illness if they get the flu.

Household contacts and other care-givers of children younger then 6 months

• Infants younger than 6 months old cannot get a flu shot, but they can get the flu. This illness can be dangerous for a very young child; therefore, it is important for contacts of thse infants to be vaccinated

Contacts of residents of nursing homes or chronic-care facilities

• Individuals who live in a nursing home or chronic-care facility may be at increased risk for complication of flu due to chronic medical conditions.