Immunization
Bureau of Communicable Disease
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Flu & Pneumonia Vaccines
Rules and Regulations for Schools and Nursing Homes
- Public schools are required to send out all influenza disease and vaccine(s) information to parents
- Influenza and Pneumococcal vaccinations for long term care facility residents and employees
Influenza Disease
When administering a flu vaccine, it is also a great time to get all ACIP vaccines recommended by age, especially pneumococcal, Tdap, and Zoster. To find a flu vaccine provider near you, go to CDC's Flu Finder Webpage. For other adult vaccines, go to Adult Immunization Providers to find a provider in your county.
What is influenza disease?
- Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.
- The virus infects the nose, throat, and lungs.
- It can cause mild to severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.
What are the symptoms?
- Anyone can get flu and it strikes suddenly and can last several days.
- Symptoms of flu disease may include:
--Fever or feeling feverish / chills
--Cough
--Sore throat
--Runny or stuffy nose
--Muscle or body aches
--Headaches
--Fatigue (very tired)
--Vomiting and diarrhea
How does influenza disease spread?
- Flu is spread by:
--An infected person's droplets from cough, sneeze, or talk enter the mouth, eye, or nose
--Touching a surface or object with flu virus on it and then touching mouth, eyes, or nose. - An infected person can infect others 1 day before symptoms start and up to 5 to 7 days after symptoms start.
- Some people, especially young children, and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.
How do I prevent the flu?
- Get a yearly flu vaccine.
- Wash your hands properly and often.
- Cover your cough and sneeze with arm.
- Clean and sterilize surfaces.
- Stay home if you are sick.
Where can I find more information?
- Ask your doctor, or contact your local county health department.
- Email the Alabama Department of Public Health, Immunization Division, at [email protected].
- Go to cdc.gov and type 'influenza' in the SEARCH box.
- Read, print, and share our Influenza Fast Fact Flyer to learn more about pertussis disease and vaccines.
Who should get the influenza (flu) vaccine?
- The flu vaccine is recommended every year for everyone age 6 months or older.
Who should be vaccinated against influenza because they are at increased risk?
- Children 6 months of age through 5 years. Adults 65 years of age or older.
- Pregnant women.
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term facilities.
- People who have medical conditions including the following:
--Asthma.
--Chronic lung disease
--Heart disease.
--Kidney disorders.
--Liver disorders.
--Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease).
--Weakened immune systems due to disease or medication (such as HIV / AIDS or cancer).
--People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
--People with extreme obesity.
What are the common vaccine side effects and risks?
- Flu vaccines are safe, but some side effects can occur.
- Minor problems following the flu vaccine include soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot, hoarseness, sore, red, or itchy eyes, cough, fever, aches, headache, itching, and fatigue.
- More serious problems may include Guillain-Barre' syndrome (GBS) in fewer than 1 or 2 cases per one million people vaccinated, children receiving multiple vaccines slightly increase in fever with seizure.
- People who should not get the flu vaccine include anyone with severe, life-threatening allergies, who had GBS before, or not feeling well on the day of vaccination.
Where can I find more information?
- Ask your doctor or your local county health department.
- Email the Alabama Department of Public Health, Immunization Division, at [email protected].
- Go to cdc.gov and type 'influenza vaccine' in the SEARCH box.
- Read, print, and share our Influenza Fast Fact Flyer to learn more about influenza disease and vaccines.
Why Does Anyone Need a Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) Shot?
- It protects against Pneumonia, which is a serious illness.
- Pneumonia can cause serious illness requiring hospitalization or even death.
- Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, needlessly affects millions of people worldwide each year.
Find out about the best defense against Pneumonia from your healthcare provider.
Related Resources
- Do 10 - Fight the Flu
- Flu Surveillance Program (ADPH Infectious Disease and Outbreaks Division)
- ACIP Influenza Vaccine Recommendations
- Season Influenza (Flu) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Key Facts for Preventing Flu (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Page last updated: August 27, 2024