Everyone over 6 months should be vaccinated
Many parents are in back-to-school mode, but some people already are preparing for flu season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's flu shot recommendations have changed this year.
KHQA's Jarod Wells shows you what you need to know in your Safe Family Report.
It may seem a little early, but flu shots already are being given across the country.
Jan Hummel with the Adams County Health Department said, "The CDC's recommendation is that you give the influenza vaccine when it's available."
Jan Hummel with the Adams County Health Department says the most important thing you need to know going into this flu season is that it is now recommended that everyone over the age of six months get vaccinated.
Hummel said, "Research has shown that the younger age group and the older age group actually are traumatized by the disease at the same rate. The hospitalizations are equal for the very young and the elderly, so this year everyone gets a flu shot.
The previous recommendations left out school-aged children.
Hummel said, "And school aged kids are the ones that are actually bringing the disease to everyone else. They spend so much time in close proximity to each other. They may not get as sick as another age group, but they're actually the people that bring the disease to their younger siblings or to their grandparents."
Hummel says this year's vaccine also offers more protection.
Hummel said, "We're kind of calling it the all inclusive or the all in one vaccine this year. H1N1 is an Influenza A virus and it is part of what we will the seasonal flu shot this year."
Hummel says right now it looks like there will not be any shortages of flu vaccines.