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What Are the Key Facts about Seasonal Flu Vaccine? Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body. Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.
People who should get vaccinated each year are: - Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday - Pregnant women - People 50 years of age and older - People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions - People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities - People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: -- Health care workers -- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu -- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
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