Sep 28, 2012 By Kari Cooper, Pharmacist, Southwest Regional Medical Center 2 min read

Influenza is a serious, potentially life-threatening disease. The influenza virus can change every year and a flu infection can affect people differently. During a regular flu season, 90 percent of flu-related deaths occur in people over 65 years old.

An annual flu vaccine is an easy, safe way to reduce the chance of getting the seasonal flu. The ‘flu shot’ also decreases the chance of spreading a flu infection to others.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year.

Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of flu complications.

These people include:

n Those with chronic medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease;

n Adults age 50 or older; and

n Pregnant women.

In addition to the standard flu vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older, there are 3 other available options. These include:

n A high-dose vaccine for those age 65 or older;

n An intradermal vaccine for adults up to age 64 that uses a smaller needle; and

n A nasal vaccine spray approved for people ages 2 to 49, excluding pregnant women and people with chronic health problems.

Check with your doctor to find out which flu vaccine is the right choice for you.

It is recommended that people can get vaccinated against influenza as soon as the vaccine becomes available, usually around October. It takes about two weeks for your body to build the antibodies that protect you against the flu.

The flu vaccine is needed yearly because the influenza viruses are constantly changing. The flu vaccine is formulated each year to keep up with these changes. Getting a new vaccination every year is the best protection against the influenza virus.