Who Should Get Flu Shots?

Every September, the Madison Department of Public Health begins to hear from people wanting to know when they can get their flu shot. And every September, our Department does not hear from some folks who SHOULD consider having a flu shot. Is that you?

Here is what you need to know to make the decision to have a flu shot.

First, influenza (flu) is NOT a bug that causes vomiting or diarrhea. Influenza IS a serious infection, caused by a group of viruses, that infect people. The flu virus causes fever, hacking cough, headache, sore throat, body aches, and muscle aches. Flu can lead to pneumonia and more serious illness in people who have extra risk.

Since flu viruses change frequently, the flu shot that protects against flu must change as well. That’s the reason you should have a flu shot every year. And, contrary to popular belief, a flu shot will NOT give you flu. (It can’t. It doesn’t contain live viruses.) Antibiotics do not kill flu viruses. And antiviral medications have limited use in preventing flu.
Who Should Receive a Flu Shot Every Year? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people most likely to get seriously sick from flu should receive a flu shot every year. This "extra risk" group of people includes:
Children who are high priority to receive the vaccine are:
  • Children over 6 months of age with chronic health conditions, such as heart, lung, immune or blood system diseases, diabetes, and other such conditions.
  • Children with health problems that cause them to have difficulty handling their respiratory secretions or swallowing their food.
  • Children age six months through 23 months without other health problems.
  • Children on long-term aspirin therapy.
  • Children two years and older who live with a child under six months of age.

Adults who are high priority to receive the vaccine are:

  • Adults over age 50 and particularly over age 65.
  • Adults with chronic health conditions (as mentioned above).
  • Pregnant women.
  • Health Care workers.
  • Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
  • Adults living with or caring for children under age two years old.

And any person should also consider having a flu shot who is a household contact of:

  • High priority adults or children.
  • A healthy child under age two years old.
Other Individuals who should receive the vaccine are those who:
  • Are healthy children, age 6 months to 24 months  
  • Are pregnant and medically high risk or who will be in the second or third trimesters of their pregnancy during the flu illness season (December through March)
  • Are living in nursing homes or other care facilities for people with chronic health problems
  • Work with or care for people in the "health risk" categories

If you have any questions about whether or not you fall into the risk categories, please call the Madison Department of Public Health (266-4821). Ask to speak to the Intake Nurse.

Flu shots are low cost ($20) to City residents. The shot is covered by Medical Assistance or Medicare insurance. Please bring your insurance card to the clinic with you.

For Immunization Clinic schedules, please call 608-246-4516.