The flu vaccine is the best prevention against the flu, which can cause serious health problems. Make your flu shot appointment today.
Who is most at risk for complications from flu?
Those most at risk for complications and serious illness from flu include:
- People with chronic conditions such as asthma (and other respiratory conditions) and diabetes
- People with heart disease and those who have had a stroke
- Adults age 65 and older
- Pregnant people
- Anyone whose immune system is compromised for any reason, including cancer
Paul Edward Sax, MD, an infectious disease doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, urges pregnant women to get the vaccine, for themselves and their unborn babies. “As an infectious disease doctor, I’ve seen pregnant women who are terribly sick with flu, and it’s such a difficult situation because they’re obviously trying to care for themselves and their unborn child,” Dr. Sax says. “Pregnant women really need to get the flu vaccine.”
Over age 65? Opt for the high-dose flu vaccine
There are now a number of types of flu vaccines. Dr. Sax strongly recommends that people over 65 receive the high-dose shot that has been available in recent years. “The data are growing stronger that the high-dose vaccine is actually a better vaccine for older patients — that they get higher protective levels of antibodies and it correlates with reduced clinical events,” he says. “That’s what I do in my practice.”
Get your shot before flu starts spreading
The CDC recommends yearly flu vaccines for people 6 months and older. It’s best to get your vaccine by the end of October. But if you miss that date, get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.
