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

• 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)