As the next flu season approaches, it’s important to know who should get vaccinated against influenza. The flu can be deadly, especially to those with certain health conditions that put them at risk for severe complications. Since 2002, pneumonia and influenza have been the third-leading cause of death among New York City residents. The following groups of people should seriously consider getting a flu shot, either to avoid developing serious health issues from the flu, or transmitting it to those who may be at risk for complications:
- Anyone aged 50 years or older
- Anyone who is or will become pregnant during the flu season
- Anyone 6 months through 18 years of age receiving long-term aspirin therapy. (The flu could potentially cause Reye syndrome in these individuals.)
- Anyone who is morbidly obese (with a body-mass index of 40 or higher).
- American Indians/Alaska Natives
- Those with chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, or metabolic disorders.
- Those who are immunosuppressed (including immunosuppression caused by medications or human immunodeficiency virus).
- Residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
- Caregivers of children younger than 5 years old and adults 50 and over (especially those in contact with children under 6 months).
- Caregivers of anyone with medical conditions that put them at risk for severe complications from influenza
- All health care workers
Flu Vaccination for Health Care Workers
The best way to prevent transmission of the flu virus in a health care setting is to get the annual flu shot. Even those not involved in direct patient care should get the vaccine because they can potentially be exposed to infectious agents that cause the flu. This includes:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Therapists
- Technicians
- Pharmacists
- Laboratory workers
- Students and trainees
- Contractual staff
- Clerical employees
- Dietary employees
- Security employees
- Administrative employees
- Volunteers
Health care workers who get the flu vaccine are doing their part to create a healthier work environment by:
- Reducing the transmission of influenza
- Reducing the rates of staff illness and absenteeism
- Creating a lower risk of hospital-acquired influenza cases
- Creating a lower risk of flu-related illness and death in long-term care facilities
A recent study has shown that for every 15 health care workers that are vaccinated, there is one less flu infection in the surrounding community. In the United States, only about a third of health care workers get the annual flu vaccine. If all U.S. health care workers got an annual flu shot, a substantial amount of flu infections and hospitalizations could be prevented.
