How Do I Prepare For This Year’s Flu Season?

When it comes to seasonal flu, the best offense is a good defense. Get your flu shot. Unlike in past years, there is plenty of available vaccine. Make sure that your family is also protected.

A flu shot is a good idea for anyone. Some people are considered more high-risk and should make every effort to get vaccinated. These groups include:

• Adults 50 years old and older
• Residents of nursing homes
• People 5-49 years of age with conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or other chronic conditions
• Household contacts of people at high risk for complications
• Healthcare workers
• Pregnant women
• Children 6-59 months old

Healthcare workers are particularly encouraged to receive flu vaccine – to protect not only themselves from the disease, but to also help prevent transmission of it to their patients, coworkers, family members and close contacts. That means you, if you are a DHHS health care worker.

You can also take actions to stop the spread of the flu and other viruses. Those steps include:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Use disposable tissues and throw them away immediately
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• If your children are sick, keep them home.

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Last Modified: November 16, 2006