Flu season is about to start, and federal and local public health officials are concerned that their annual recommendations to get older adults to get the annual influenza shot is not being heard in sufficient numbers, or acted on.
Flu is most dangerous for people older than 65, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain ongoing health conditions, such as diabetes, lung and heart disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended annual flu shots for everyone ages 6 months and older for the past six years.
CDC says steady vaccination rates among children, but a concerning drop in influenza vaccination among adults 50 and older. CDC officials also note that hospitalization rates are highest for people older than 64 and second highest for baby boomers, those between 54 and 64.
Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and March and can last as late as May, according to CDC information.
For the best protection, scientists say it’s optimal to get your flu shot before there’s a lot of flu in your community because it takes about two weeks for full protection to kick in.
