Target Groups for Influenza Vaccination
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendations
Persons at High Risk or Increased Risk for Complications
- Persons 65 years of age or older;
- Children 6 months old to 23 months old and their caregivers;
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house
persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions;
- Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or
cardiovascular systems, including children with asthma;
- Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or
hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic
diseases (including diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction,
hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression, including
immunosuppression caused by medications;
- Children and teenagers (age 6 months to 18 years) who are receiving
long-term aspirin therapy that might put them at risk for developing
Reye's syndrome after influenza;
- Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during
the influenza season.
Persons Who Can Transmit Influenza to Those at High Risk
- Physicians, nurses, and other personnel in both hospital and outpatient
care settings, including emergency response workers.
- Employees of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities who have
contact with patients or residents.
- Employees of assisted living facilities and other residences for persons
in groups at high risk.
- Persons who provide home care to persons in groups at high risk.
- Household members (including children) of persons in groups at high
risk.
Persons Aged 50-64 Years
- Vaccination is recommended for persons aged 50-64 years because
this group has an increased prevalence of persons with high-risk
conditions. Persons aged 50-64 years without high-risk conditions also
receive benefit from vaccination in the form of decreased rates of
influenza illness, decreased work absenteeism, and decreased need for
medical visits and medication, including antibiotics.
South Dakota Department of Health
http://flu.sd.gov
605-773-3737 or 1-800-738-2301
