Flu Shots - Who should get them? Do we have a good flu shot strategy?

The strategy of the CDC for many years on flu vaccinations/flu shots has been to recommend vaccinations for elderly and high-risk groups. Yes, these groups are most likely to have serious health consequences if they contract the flu. Unfortunately this strategy has resulted in several problems. Quite often the carriers of the influenza virus are children and healthy people. So vaccinating young and healthy as well as the at-risk and elderly should be at least of equal importance. If you are going to reduce the spread of influenza to those most at-risk, you need to have a strategy that properly addresses all groups.

This strategy along with the many years of uncertain delays have quenched the need for flu shots nationwide. For years, the CDC focused on encouraging those over 50 years and at-risk to get their flu shot sometime after October 1st each year. It is going to take years to re-educate the U.S. population that flu shots are the way to prevent the spread of influenza among all groups. They also need to educate the population better on the myths about receiving a flu shot.

Flu shots are readily available in the community, company, workplace, church, grocery store, pharmacy and many other venues. It is almost impossible to avoid an opportunity to get a flu shot. Believe it or not, only about 25% of the population actually receives a flu shot annually even though it is little or no cost.