Who is at highest risk for suffering complications from Influenza?

The CDC lists the following persons as being at increased risk for complications from influenza: ¹

• Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two years old
• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum)
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who have medical conditions including:

• Asthma;
• Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury];
• Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis);
• Heart disease(such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease);
• Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease);
• Endocrine disorders (such as diabetesmellitus);
• Kidney disorders;
• Liver disorders;
• Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders);
• Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids);
• People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;
• People who are morbidly obese (body mass index more than 40) Calculate Body Mass Index or BMI here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about Influenza and the Influenza vaccine by reading all sections in the Table of Contents, which contain many links and resources such as the manufacturer product information inserts, and to speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision for yourself or your child. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

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