Target vaccine to high-risk patients
Elderly, immune compromised may fall to flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines those at high risk for complications from influenza as the following groups:1
• persons ages > 65;
• residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions;
• children and adults who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma;
• children and adults 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 (e.g., caused by medications or human immunodeficiency virus);
• persons ages 6 months to 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be 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.
Reference
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notice to readers: Updated recommendations from the advisory committee on immunization practices in response to delays in supply of influenza vaccine for the 2000-01 season. MMWR 2000; 49:888-892.
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