I keep hearing about the flu shot. This includes people over 65, those with heart problems, lung or kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV infection and any illness or treatment that weakens your immunity. It is also recommended for those who care for or live with someone with these high-risk medical conditions. If your job entails high public contact where you can become infected or infect others with the flu, the vaccine may prevent you from getting the flu or lessen your symptoms. This group includes staff on the front-lines with lots of student and public contact and child care and health care workers.
Some healthy adults decide to get the shot to reduce the risk of being laid up with the flu.
The flu vaccine won't prevent the common cold. Persons ill with a fever should wait until they are recovered. Women who are or may be pregnant should check with their health care provider. Since the vaccine is noninfectious, it cannot cause the flu. The shot, given in the arm, causes few side effects with the most common being soreness at the injection site.