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Seasonal Influenza
Seasonal Influenza consists of
those influenza viruses that have circulated in the human population in previous seasons and
which may have undergone minor genetic changes. These minor genetic changes, called “drifts”
make it necessary to adjust the vaccine each influenza season. Generally, people have some level
of immunity to the seasonal influenza viruses and that level of immunity improves significantly with
the administration of the seasonal influenza vaccines.
Pandemic influenza consists of viruses that have gone through major genetic changes, called “shifts”.
This means they are essentially a brand new influenza virus and few people have any immunity to them.
Seasonal Vaccination Recommendations
Groups That Should Receive Seasonal Vaccine
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Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
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Pregnant women
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People 50 years of age and older
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People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
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People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
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People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from
flu, including:
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Health care worker
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Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
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Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age
(these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Groups That Should
NOT Receive Seasonal Vaccine
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People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
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People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
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People who developed
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza
vaccine.
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Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this
age group), and
-
People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait
until they recover to get vaccinated.)
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