Are You at Risk?

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Are You at Risk?

The Many “Faces” of Influenza

We all are "faces" of influenza and should be immunized this and every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the support of leading health experts, recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older be immunized.¹

Vaccination is safe and effective, and the best way to help prevent influenza and its complications.¹ The American Lung Association urges you and your loved ones to get a flu shot every influenza season. You should get your flu shot as soon as it becomes available in the late summer or early fall. Even if you didn’t get vaccinated early in the influenza season, immunization into the spring or as long as the influenza virus is in circulation can be beneficial. This is because in many seasons, influenza activity doesn’t peak until winter or early spring. In fact, as long as influenza viruses are in circulation, it’s a good idea to get a flu shot. For most adults, the vaccine can help protect against influenza within 2 weeks.¹ Talk to your health-care provider for more information about the importance of influenza immunization.

Unfortunately influenza immunization rates fall far short of public health goals every year – even among those at highest risk. The CDC recommends annual influenza immunization for everyone 6 months of age and older. Getting vaccinated against the flu each year is one of the most important steps people can take to help protect themselves from flu and its complications. Even healthy people need a flu shot – to help stay healthy and to help prevent the spread of flu to others. Groups at higher risk of developing influenza-related complications include:¹

People 50 years of age and older
Children 6 months-18 years of age
Pregnant women
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, diabetes, and others
Residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes

Additionally, those who come into close contact with high-risk groups should get a flu shot, not only to help protect themselves against influenza, but also to help avoid spreading the disease to more vulnerable populations. They include:¹

Household contacts and caregivers of anyone in a high-risk group, including contacts such as parents, siblings, grandparents, babysitters, and child-care providers
Health-care personnel

Note: Children younger than 9 years of age may need 2 doses approximately 1 month apart, depending on their influenza vaccination history.¹

Some people should not get the vaccine or should first talk with their
health-care provider. These include:¹

People with severe allergies to eggs
People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a past influenza vaccination
Children younger than 6 months of age, because no vaccination is licensed yet for this age group

Did you know?

Portrait Gallery

Daina Maxwell and Dez’Arae Harrison

Mother and Her Daughter With Asthma, Who Was Hospitalized for Influenza-related Complications

“I never knew how serious influenza was until Dez’Arae got it,” Daina said. “I am so lucky to still have her here, and I am not willing to take any more chances.”
Mario Linares

Adult Living With Type 2 Diabetes

Mario Linares has type 2 diabetes, a chronic medical condition that increases his risk for serious influenza-related complications, such as heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage. Health officials strongly recommend that all people with chronic medical conditions be immunized against influenza annually.¹
Christina Fry, Rick Cerett, and Chalise Jackson

Family of Infant Marques Jackson, Who Died at 6 Months of Age From Influenza-related Complications

When infant Marques Jackson passed away from influenza-related complications, his mother Christina Fry and grandfather Rick Cerett became crusaders for yearly vaccination for parents, children, and caregivers.
Bob Khan

Fire Chief, City of Phoenix Fire Department

Fire Chief Bob Khan knows that, healthy or not, the flu and its complications can stop him and his crew of 2,000 firefighters in their tracks.
Zack Yaksich

Father Who Lost His 5-year-old Daughter to Influenza-related Complications

In February 2003, tragedy struck Zack and his family when his 5-year-old daughter, Alana, passed away in the hospital because of complications of influenza. Alana had not been vaccinated against the disease, and children typically experience the highest rates of influenza infection each year.¹
Randall Griffin

Healthy Adult Who Contracted the Influenza Virus

Randall Griffin was in peak form after turning 50. In the spring of 2009, Randall contracted influenza, which led to the development of double pneumonia, kidney failure, and respiratory failure – requiring dialysis, a tracheotomy, and a ventilator to stay alive.
Brandon Williams and Dimitri Aston

Brothers Living With Asthma

Brandon and Dimitri have asthma. Their mother, Lakisha, knows the flu can worsen symptoms of asthma like wheezing, and can make breathing even more difficult.^12-14 That’s why she makes sure her family is vaccinated each and every year.
Edmundo Hidalgo

Husband, Father, and CEO of Chicanos Por La Causa

Edmundo Hidalgo is committed to encouraging Hispanics to get vaccinated against influenza each year. Hispanics have higher rates of chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, which may put them at an increased risk for developing serious complications from influenza.^1,17
Dody and Earl Kinsella

Wife Living With Heart Condition and Her Husband, Household Contact

Each year, for more than 20 years, Dody and Earl Kinsella have faithfully received their flu shots. As older Americans, they know they are at a higher risk for developing complications from this serious virus.¹
Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH

Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, does whatever he can to help protect the public’s health. He knows influenza is a serious and deadly threat, and with the CDC’s recommendation for everyone 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated, Dr. Frieden is more committed than ever to spreading the word about the importance of getting immunized against influenza each year.¹
Diane and Mike McGowan

Parents of Martin McGowan, Who Died of Influenza-related Complications at 15 Years of Age

Diane and Mike McGowan’s healthy 15-year-old son, Martin, died from influenza-related complications in 2005. “One flu shot could have saved his life,” said Diane.
Jessica Polakow

Mother-to-Be

When Jessica Polakow posed for this portrait, she was about to become a mother for the very first time. She made sure she was vaccinated against influenza because she knew pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized from influenza-related complications than non-pregnant women of the same age.⁹
Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD

Director, Community Asthma Prevention Program, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

As founder of the Community Asthma Prevention Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Tyra Bryant-Stephens knows how dangerous the flu can be to children with asthma and other respiratory problems.
Amie and Cailey Welch

Mother and Daughter Influenza Survivors

Both Amie and Cailey Welch contracted life-threatening cases of influenza. Both survived but it was a long, hard battle that left young Cailey with long-term effects, including a tracheostomy, as well as the inability to breathe without an oxygen machine from time to time.
LaShell Griffin

Singer and Mother of 5

“Singing is a big part of my life, but so is my family,” said LaShell. “With 5 children in the house, we stay busy. That’s why it’s absolutely necessary we stay as healthy as possible and our annual influenza vaccination helps us do just that.”
Ray and Stella Ross

Husband With COPD and His Wife, Household Contact

Ray Ross has emphysema, a progressive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Not only does Ray get an annual flu shot, but his wife, Stella, does as well to ensure she does not bring the virus home to her husband.
Kristi Yamaguchi

Olympic Gold Medalist

Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi takes her career as a figure skater seriously. Yet, since her victory on "Dancing with the Stars," and experience as an American role model, she has taken on an even more serious role in life – her family. As the mother of 2 young children, Kristi knows that influenza immunization is a must for everyone in her family.
Richard and Alissa Kanowitz

Parents of Amanda Kanowitz, Who Died From Influenza-related Complications at 4

When Richard and Alissa Kanowitz lost their daughter, Amanda, to influenza-related complications in 2004, they decided to do everything they could to save other families from enduring similar heartbreak.
Anne Schuchat, MD

Rear Admiral, US Public Health Service Assistant Surgeon General Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

Dr. Schuchat has an important job of preventing disease through immunization, which puts her on the front lines in the fight against influenza infection.
Lylan Bui

Daughter of Tri and Trinh Bui

When Lylan reached 6 months of age, her mother, Trinh, made sure she was immunized against influenza because she knows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older.¹
Julie Moise

Mother of Ian, Who Died From Influenza-related Complications at 6 1/2 Months of Age, Also Living With Asthma

Julie Moise lost her 6 1/2-month-old son, Ian, to influenza-related complications in 2003, just 2 days after he was diagnosed with the disease.
Eva Quiroz and Jasper Quiroz-Hansen

Working Mother of 2 and Her Son

Even with her husband’s help, Eva Quiroz’s free time is limited. But her family’s health is her top priority, no matter how busy she gets. Eva knows influenza is a potentially life-threatening disease, so she schedules her family’s vaccination appointments with their doctor every year.
Linda DeLude

Mother of 2 Who Lost Her Husband, Barry, a Minneapolis Firefighter, to Influenza

Linda DeLude’s husband, Barry, a Minneapolis firefighter, was her best friend. He always was healthy, so Linda never thought about making sure he was vaccinated against influenza. But Barry was infected with influenza in March 2007 – tragically, he died from the disease.
Lisa Amoruso

Wife and Mother of 2 Who Contracted Nearly Fatal Case of Influenza

Lisa, an otherwise healthy and active woman, had contracted influenza and was severely ill for approximately 5 months. With the help of strong doctors and the love and support from her family and friends, Lisa survived and is now championing a new cause − influenza vaccination. She wants others to know that influenza can strike anyone and vaccination can help provide protection.¹
Megan and Brandon Pienta

Sister With Severe Asthma and Her Brother, Household Contact

With a family of 6 children, the Pienta household sometimes can feel like a whirlwind of activities. But parents John and Jody always ensure annual vaccination against influenza stays on top of their family’s to-do list.
Scott Jones

Sacramento County Sheriff

As a Sheriff, Scott Jones knows part of his job means taking risks to make sure Sacramento County is a safe place to live. But one risk Scott refuses to take is getting influenza – he gets himself and his family vaccinated every year.
David and Leia Schwartz

Father and Daughter Living With Asthma

David Schwartz and his daughter, Leia, both have asthma and understand how devastating influenza can be for those who fall in the highest-risk groups. “Just the thought of getting influenza scares my family because we know how devastating it can be for Leia, who has asthma,” said David.
Nancy Cox, PhD

Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Nancy Cox, PhD, always knew that she wanted to pursue a career in science and medicine, but she never dreamed that one day she would be the Chief of the Influenza Division at the CDC. In this role, she helps make a difference in this country’s fight against seasonal influenza, which, combined with pneumonia, is the nation’s eighth leading cause of death.⁸
Mark Williams, MD

Pulmonary Disease Specialist, American Lung Association Board Member

Mark Williams, MD, sees many “faces” of influenza on a daily basis, as everyone 6 months of age and older is recommended for annual influenza immunization by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, especially those with chronic lung conditions.¹
Rebecca and Nicolaas Wooters

Mother and Her Son With Asthma

Rebecca Wooters doesn’t take chances when it comes to influenza and takes protecting her family’s well-being seriously. To help protect Nicolaas and the rest of her household each year, she makes vaccination a “family affair” and ensures all of her loved ones get their flu shot.
Lili Estefan

“La Flaca” and Mother of 2

Lili Estefan, widely known among Latino audiences as “La Flaca,” knows firsthand how serious influenza can be, and that it is something she never wants to experience again. Lili, the popular host of Univision’s show El Gordo y La Flaca, recalls how an experience with influenza kept her off the show, leaving “El Gordo” without his regular side kick.
Heidi Kinsella

Wife, Mother of 3, and School Teacher

Being in close contact with so many children every day, Heidi knows that germs and viruses can spread easily among kids and even to their friends, families, and others. That’s why she makes getting vaccinated against influenza a priority for herself and her family every year.