Approximately 8 million children and adolescents between 6 months and 17 years of age have one or more medical conditions that put them at increased risk of influenza-related complications. These children should be given the first vaccine available. Such children include those with chronic disorders of the heart or lungs (such as asthma and cystic fibrosis), children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), kidney dysfunction,  sickle cell anemia, or immunosuppression.  Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection and
adolescents who will be in the second or third trimester of
pregnancy during the influenza season should also be vaccinated.

For unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed to people with known influenza, especially if the exposed individual has risk factors, potential use of antiviral medication for more than 2  weeks and vaccination may help prevent illness.

Ency. home > Disease > I > Influenza

[an error occurred while processing this directive]