■ Persons aged 65 years and older

■ Persons aged 2–64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions

■ All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season

■ All children aged 6–23 months*

■ Healthcare workers involved in direct patient care

■ Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged <6 months

■ Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities

■ Children aged 6 months*–18 years on chronic aspirin therapy

*The flu vaccine is not currently approved for children under 6 months of age.

Information About Influenza and Vaccination

■ Influenza is a contagious disease of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs) that can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and dehydration, and worsening of chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes(2)

■ Influenza symptoms, which can interrupt your work and play schedule for up to two weeks, commonly include fever, headaches, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches(2)

■ On average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized in the United States as a result of influenza each year(3)

■ An average of 36,000 US residents die from influenza annually(3)

■ The CDC recognizes vaccination as the best way to prevent influenza and states that “the single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall”(4)

■ Influenza vaccine is not only convenient and inexpensive (particularly when compared to contracting the disease), it’s also:

–Highly effective: When the match between the flu vaccine and the circulating strains is close, the flu shot prevents infection in about 70% to 90% of healthy persons younger than 65 years(5)

■ There are many misconceptions regarding the flu shot. 

Here are just a few of the most common myths and the real truth about the vaccine

• MYTH: My friend got the flu from the flu vaccine

TRUTH: Injectable influenza vaccines are made from influenza viruses that have been killed — a dead virus cannot give you the flu(5)

• MYTH: I’ve heard the side effects from the shot are worse than the virus itself

TRUTH: A vaccine, like any medicine, may rarely cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. However, most people who get the influenza vaccine have no serious problems(5)

• MYTH: The flu shot is only for old people and kids

TRUTH: The elderly and young children are two of the groups considered at increased risk for complications from influenza,(6) but influenza vaccination can benefit anyone over the age of 6 months*

• MYTH: The flu shot only works if you get vaccinated in the fall

TRUTH: Although October and November are the recommended months for vaccination (because that’s when the viruses begin to circulate), a vaccination given later in the season (December through March) can still protect you from the flu(7)

© Chiron Vaccines 2005

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