The Alabama Department of Public Health encourages vaccination of all persons 6 months of age and older against influenza as soon as the vaccine becomes available. The flu is a very contagious respiratory illness, and the best way to prevent it is to get vaccinated each year.
“The timing of every flu season is different, and we recommend you receive a flu vaccine regardless of whether you had one last year,” Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said. “Even healthy people can become very sick from the flu and spread it to others. An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.”
Influenza vaccination is especially recommended for the following people who are at higher risk of influenza-related complications. These are the same groups for whom the immunizations were especially recommended during the past two flu seasons.
All children between 6 months and 5 years of age, but especially those between 6 months and 2 years of age
Adults 50 years of age and older, especially those 65 years and older
Adults and children with chronic disorders
Pregnant women
Children aged 6 months through 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
Persons who are immunosuppressed
Health care workers
Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than age 5 and adults 50 years of age and older
People who are morbidly obese (those with a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or greater)
Anyone else who wishes to reduce the chance of contracting influenza should get a flu shot. Someone with the flu may have some or all of these symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and often extreme fatigue. Between 1976 and 2007, estimates of the number of flu-associated deaths in the U.S. range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people each year. Approximately 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older.
The public is also reminded to follow basic infection control measures to help prevent the spread of the flu. These include covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or cloth when coughing and sneezing, washing hands frequently, and staying at home from work and school when sick.
Flu vaccinations are available from your private physician, county health department or local pharmacy. Call ahead to see if an appointment is necessary. For more information contact the Immunization Division of the Alabama Department of Public Health at (334) 206-5023 or toll free at 800-469-4599.