Recent studies have shown that the use of vaccine in this setting will decrease occurrence of illness and has an even greater impact in reducing the rates of hospitalization, pneumonia and death. The risk of severe illness and death related to influenza is moderately increased in healthy people in this age group but is not nearly as great as in people with chronic underlying disease. The vaccine may also be administered to those who wish to reduce their chances of acquiring infection. For vaccine eligible persons embarking on foreign travel, their influenza vaccination history and the seasonal occurrence of influenza at their destination should be reviewed. If no vaccine was received during the previous fall, vaccination before travel should be considered.
Influenza can occur throughout the year in the tropics.
Persons in the high-risk categories especially should be encouraged to receive the vaccine. The most current vaccine should be used. Influenza virus vaccine is propagated in eggs. It is also a contraindication to administer this vaccine to individuals known to be sensitive to thimerosal. The vaccine should not be used in the presence of acute febrile illnesses or active infection.