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Recommendations for the 2007-2008 Season
Flu Vaccine Administration

• General recommendations for flu vaccine for this season include:
• All people, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting the disease to others should get immunized.
• People who have conditions that put them at high risk for suffering complications to influenza should receive the vaccine.
• Close contacts to people at high risk should receive flu vaccine.
• All children 6 months through 8 years of age need two doses of flu vaccine, which are separated by one month to receive the best protection.
• Children 6 months through 8 years of age who receive only 1 dose in their first year of vaccination should receive 2 doses the following year.
• Immunization providers should offer influenza vaccine throughout the influenza season – through December and later, even if there is disease in the community.
• Health care personnel should receive influenza immunizations in order to protect themselves and their patients.
  


• Recommendations for using the flu shot (inactivated flu vaccine) and the nasal spray (live vaccine):
• Inactivated flu vaccine – the flu shot – can be given to any person 6 months of age and older, including pregnant women and people at high risk for developing complications if they get influenza.
• Live flu vaccine – the nasal flu vaccine – can be given to healthy people 2 through 49 years of age. It should not be given to people at high risk for developing complications if they get influenza, including children who have a history of recurrent wheezing.
  


• People considered to be at high risk for developing complications if they get influenza include:
• All children 6 months through 4 years.
• All people 50 years of age and older.
• Children receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
• Adults and children who have chronic illnesses, including asthma.
• Adults and children whose immune system is weakened due to illness or medications.
• Residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities.
• Health care personnel.