I recommend the flu vaccine for children with a chronic illness, such as asthma, or with frequent sinus or ear infections. Simply getting the flu vaccine lessens the child's risk of ear infections that year by more than 30 percent.

The CDC recommends the flu vaccine for the following groups:

1. Children 6 months to 5 years of age and adults 50 years of age or older. Flu tends to be most serious in children under 5 and in the elderly, so it makes sense to consider the vaccine for these groups even if they are healthy.
2. Anyone 6 months to 18 years old on aspirin.
3. Women who will be pregnant during flu season.
4. Anyone with chronic health problem, weakened immune systems, or nerve or muscular diseases.
5. Anyone living in a nursing home or care facility.
6. People should also be vaccinated if they are likely to be exposed to flu (such as teachers) or if they are going to be around people at high risk for complications if they were to get sick (i.e. a relative on chemotherapy). People who have close contact to those in groups 1-5 above should get the flu vaccine. Because I am a pediatrician, I get the flu vaccine every year.
7. Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu or transmitting the flu to others.

Some people will have mild reactions to the flu vaccine, but most of these are probably the same people who would get much sicker than average with the flu. Those who have had severe reactions to the flu vaccine or to chicken eggs should not receive the vaccine. The flu vaccine has traditionally been given as a shot. However, there is now a nasal spray that is a more pleasant alternative for healthy (no chronic illnesses), nonpregnant people 2-49 years old.