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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has released their recommendations and guidelines for control of influenza and use of influenza vaccine and antiviral agents for 2006. Every one is a risk of getting the flu. Rates of infection are highest among children, but rates of serious illness and death are highest among persons aged 65 years or older , children less than two years of age, and anyone who has medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza such as diabetes or compromised immune systems (AIDS, cancer).

The influenza vaccination is the primary and most reliable method of preventing the influenza infection and its complications. The the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that the following groups receive the influenza vaccination:

• Anyone at high risk of severe complications from the flu including:
  • children aged 6-59 months
  • pregnant women
  • persons of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• Anyone who lives with or cares for someone at high risk including:
  • household contacts who have frequent contact with persons at high risk and who can transmit influenza to those persons at high risk
  • health care workers

  the major changes in the recommendations for influenza and vaccines this year include:

  • Increasing the age of children who should be vaccinated to 59 months from 24 months
  • They also recommend that all children aged 6 months to 9 years who have not been previously vaccinated should receive 2 doses of vaccine.
  • Health care providers should offer vaccination to all at risk people at every opportunity; even if the flu season has started.
  • The antiviral drugs amantadine or rimantadine should not be used as treatment for the flu as studies have shown that the influenza virus has become resistant to these medications.

  The best way to prevent the flu is by widespread vaccination of all at risk people and of those who may transmit the flu to at risk people. Physicians who treat at risk patients especially seniors over the age of 65 should emphasize the importance of vaccination to their patients.

  SOURCES: Prevention and Control of Influenza, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 28, 2006; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.