Česky
30.9.2009
Influenza vaccination
When to vaccinate...
There have been several changes in the recommendations on when to vaccinate children against flu. Previously, the guidelines recommended that only children in high-risk groups be vaccinated against influenza: those with heart disease, asthmatics, children with sickle cell anemia, and immunodeficiency. In the fall of 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all children 6 to 23 months of age be vaccinated annually against influenza. Relatives living in the same household as such children and children younger than 6 months should also be vaccinated.
Vaccination is recommended for persons...
Other population groups for whom influenza vaccination is recommended are persons with certain risk factors in the age group 2 to 49 years and pregnant women. Risk factors include chronic diseases of the heart, respiratory system, digestive system, diabetes, cancer and others.
According to current recommendations, people over 50 years of age should be vaccinated and, of course, healthcare workers should also be vaccinated, given the high exposure to viral diseases.
Some doctors are more inclined to vaccinate only at-risk children who suffer from recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and otitis media. By law, children living in social care institutions are also vaccinated against influenza, where vaccination is important to prevent local influenza epidemics.
