Three Easy Steps to Avoiding the Flu:

Get stuck! Get your flu shot!

• Getting a flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu.
• Flu shots are most important for people at high risk and their close contacts. These people include
  • Children
  • Pregnant women
  • People with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, asthma, etc.
  • People age 50 and older

• Complications of the flu include pneumonia. Adults 65 and older should get a pneumonia vaccine. People who have a chronic illness; a weakened immune system; or live in a nursing home should also get a pneumonia shot. This vaccine protects against a bacteria which causes pneumonia as well as meningitis and bloodstream infections. This can be given at the same time as the flu shot if needed.

Keep your hands clean!

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or month. This is how germs can spread.

Be a hero!

• If you get the flu, try and stay away from others.
• If you care for others who are at high risk, such as young children or older parents, get a flu shot.
• Take antiviral drugs if your doctor says to. These can help treat the flu and sometimes can prevent it.

Will you be pregnant this flu season?

Doctors recommend that you get a FLU SHOT. Being pregnant increases your risk of getting very sick from the flu. Stay healthy during your pregnancy. Get vaccinated.

Studies show that the flu shot is safe for pregnant women.

Are you a new mother?

A flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children from the ages of 6 months up to 18 years get a flu vaccine every fall or winter. Children getting a vaccine for the first time need two doses. Contact your child’s Primary Care Provider (PCP) to schedule an appointment for your child to receive their flu vaccine. If they do not have a PCP, call your health plan to choose a PCP.

• Flu shots can be given to children 6 months and older.
• For babies younger than 6 months, you can protect your child by getting a flu vaccine for yourself. Also encourage your child’s close contacts to get a flu vaccine. This is very important if your child is younger than 5. It is also important if your child has a chronic health problem like asthma (breathing disease) or diabetes (high blood sugar levels).
• A nasal-spray vaccine can be given to healthy children 2 years and older. Children under 5 years old who have had wheezing in the past year or any child with chronic health problems should get the flu shot.