Pneumonia - Prevention

In healthy adults, the flu shotreduces the chance of illness by about 70 - 90%. The current flu vaccines may be slightly less effective inthe elderly and those with certain chronic diseases. But, even in people with weak immune systems, the vaccine is usually protective against serious flu complications, particularly pneumonia. In fact, among the elderly, interesting studies are now suggesting that influenza vaccination may help protect against stroke, adverse heart events, and death from all causes.

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Children Who Should Be Vaccinated.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC recommend flu shots for all healthy children between 6 and 23 months of age. (The flu shot is not approved for children less than 6 months of age.)

In addition, any child over the age of 2 years who has a condition that requires regular medical care or who has been hospitalized for a serious illness (particularly lung or kidney disease, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, or immune deficiencies) should also receive a flu shot.Children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy should also be immunized against the flu because they are at higher risk for Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening disease, if they get the flu.

Children with Asthma. Recent and major studies have found that the flu shot is safe for children with asthma. It is very important for these patients to reduce their risk for respiratory diseases. Still, 90% of asthma patients remain unvaccinated.

Older Children and Adults Who Should Be Vaccinated. The following, in order of priority, are the population groups who should be vaccinated each year. The first two groups have the highest need for influenza vaccinations and are given top priority:

All adults 65 years and older.Older adults who receive aflu shot have lower hospitalization rates than those who don't. Evidence now suggests that vaccination may help protect against adverse heart events (including after heart surgeries), stroke, and death from all causes in the elderly. Still, studies suggest that only two thirds of this group are vaccinated, mostly because of unwarranted fears of ineffectiveness or adverse effects.
People of any age at high risk for serious complications from influenza. Such people include those with heart disease, lung problems, immune deficiencies, diabetes, kidney disease, or chronic blood disease. (There have been concerns about the safety of the vaccinations in certain high-risk patients such as those with HIV or asthma. Studies now suggest that the vaccine is generally safe in these patient groups. Furthermore, their risk for serious complications from influenza outweighs any potential adverse effects from the vaccines.)
Adults between the ages of 50 and 64 who have chronic medical conditions. The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) suggests that all adults over age 50 should be vaccinated, although this is not recommendation of the CDC.