The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today expanded the number of Americans who should get the flu vaccine. The CDC advised that all children between 6 months and 19 years old should get vaccinated now with either a vaccine shot or the nasal spray vaccine. The CDC also continues to recommend the vaccine for people in high risk groups, including health care workers, people 50 and older, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions.

Federal health officials stated that there should be plenty of flu vaccine available and that this year's formula will be more effective than last year's. Each year, the CDC makes predictions about the flu virus strains that will circulate in the coming flu season.

According to the CDC, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year for flu complications and 36,000 people die annually from the flu-related problems.

Parents with children should consider vaccinating their children well in advance of the peak flu season which is usually January and February. Call your pediatrician or local health department to find out where the flu vaccine is available.  

Have a question about the flu vaccine? Ask the Healia Flu Community.

_{Photo: Judy Schmidt, CDC}