1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

*Children aged 6–59 months of age

*Pregnant women

*People 50 years of age and older

*People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and

*People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

*Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)

*Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

*Health care workers.

3. Anyone who wants to decrease their risk of getting influenza.

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine: Vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is an option for healthy persons aged 2-49 years who are not pregnant, and even healthy persons who live with or care for those in a high risk group. The one exception is healthy persons who care for persons with severely weakened immune systems who require a protected environment; these healthy persons should get the inactivated vaccine.

Who should not be vaccinated:

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:

*People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs

*People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past

*People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously

*Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group)

*People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to be vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

“This year’s flu vaccine should provide immunity against the types of influenza expected to be the most likely to occur this winter,” Dr Galvin noted. “It takes about one to two weeks after vaccination for antibody against influenza to develop and provide protection.”

To avoid the flu this year and stay healthy:

*Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.

*Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

*Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

*Seek care early. See your health care provider immediately if you develop flu symptoms; antiviral medications can help if taken early in the illness.

For further facts about the prevention of influenza and to stay updated as the season progresses, see the Department of Public Health website at www.ct.gov/dph or visit www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch.