Who Should Take the Flu Shot
Although everyone can benefit from the flu shot, the NWT Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that priority be given to the following risk groups:
- adults aged 65 or older;
- adults and children with chronic cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma) severe enough to require medical follow-up or hospital care;
- adults and children with chronic conditions such as diabetes or other metabolic diseases, cancer, immunodeficiency (including HIV infection), renal disease, immunosuppression, anemia and hemoglobinopathy;
- persons of any age who are residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities;;
- children and adolescents (aged 6 months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods with acetylsalicyclic acid;
- persons at high risk of influenza complications who have trips planned to destinations where influenza is likely to be circulating; and
- any individual with neuromuscular disorders (i.e. multiple sclerosis).
- health care workers and caregivers who may transmit the virus to those at risk;
- staff who provide home care for persons in high risk groups;
- people who provide essential services to their community (i.e. law enforcers, ambulance drivers, firefighters, etc.);
- household contacts of high-risk individuals (including children of parents who either cannot be vaccinated or may not respond to vaccinations); and
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parents and guardians of all infants less than six months of age.