Who should receive the influenza vaccine?

Who should receive the influenza vaccine?

• A. Healthcare workers only.
• B. Adults only.
• C. All patients 6 months or older unless life-threatening allergy to vaccine or one of its ingredients.
• D. Children only.

Answer: (C)

Vaccination against influenza is recommended for nearly everyone aged 6 months and older. The goal is to reduce flu illness, hospitalizations, and deaths, and to protect those who can’t be vaccinated or who have weaker immune responses through herd immunity. The vaccine is given every year because flu viruses change annually. The main exception is a history of a life‑threatening allergic reaction to the vaccine or to any of its components; in that case, vaccination is not advised. So the best answer is that all patients 6 months and older should receive the influenza vaccine unless they have a life‑threatening allergy to the vaccine or one of its ingredients.

Vaccination against influenza is recommended for nearly everyone aged 6 months and older. The goal is to reduce flu illness, hospitalizations, and deaths, and to protect those who can’t be vaccinated or who have weaker immune responses through herd immunity. The vaccine is given every year because flu viruses change annually. The main exception is a history of a life‑threatening allergic reaction to the vaccine or to any of its components; in that case, vaccination is not advised. So the best answer is that all patients 6 months and older should receive the influenza vaccine unless they have a life‑threatening allergy to the vaccine or one of its ingredients.