Keeping Up With Flu Shots

In preparation for possible delays with the 2001 flu vaccine supply, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Centers for Disease Control) encouraged health-care providers to target doses of flu vaccine to high-risk groups and health-care workers in September and October.

People age 6 months and up who are not considered at high risk should seek the vaccine as it is available, in November or later. Children under 9 need two doses of vaccine separated by at least one month if they haven't previously had a flu shot.

A recent Centers for Disease Control study shows that while flu vaccination rates increased during the past decade, rates may be leveling off, and racial gaps persist. In 1999, 69% of whites age 65 and over reported getting a flu shot, compared with 59% of Hispanics, and 48% of African Americans. Differences in access to care and socioeconomic status don't appear to explain the gap, says James Singleton with the Centers for Disease Control's National Immunization Program. The Centers for Disease Control is planning a series of interviews, analysiss, and other research over the next year to uncover the key factors, Singleton says.

Unvaccinated high-risk persons, health-care workers, those living with high-risk people, and all people ages 50 and older should try to be vaccinated by November, and should continue to seek influenza vaccine in December or later if necessary.

People at increased risk for complications from the flu, including

• people 65 and older
• residents of nursing homes and other facilities that house people who have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease
• adults and children who have chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders, including asthma
• adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney dysfunction, disorders caused by hemoglobin abnormalities, or a weakened immune system, including immunosuppression caused by medications or the virus that causes AIDS
• children and teen-agers (ages 6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, and therefore might be in danger for developing Reye's syndrome
• women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season

People who can transmit influenza to those at high risk

• physicians, nurses, and other personnel in hospital and outpatient care settings, including emergency response workers
• workers of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities who have contact with patients or residents
• workers of assisted living and other residences for persons in high-risk groups
• persons who provide home care to persons in groups at high risk
• household members (including children) of people in groups at high risk

People ages 50-64 because this group has increased prevalence of high-risk conditions.