It is once again that time of year for you to get your flu shot, and for me to keep harping on you until you get one.

Here is a link to a national flu shot locator that is run by the American Lung Association.

The following are the people that are considered at high risk of complications from the flu and should defiantly get their vaccine:

• Are a child aged 6-23 months.
  
• Are between the ages of 50-64 years.
  
• Are 65 years old or older. Pneumonia and Influenza are the fifth leading cause of death for people over 65. Only about 69% of Americans 65 years and older receive the flu shot annually. These people should also get the pneumonia vaccine. Unlike the flu shot, this is a once in a lifetime shot and can be given at the same time as a flu shot. Medicare pays for both flu and pneumonia vaccines for people over 65.
  
• Are a resident of a nursing home or other chronic-care facility that houses people of any age who have chronic medical conditions.
  
• Have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma. Asthma is not exacerbated by the injection of the influenza vaccine according to an American Lung Association study. (N Engl J Med 2001; 345:1529-36.) However, only 10% of children with asthma and 39% of adults with asthma get the flu annually.
  
• Have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (diabetes), anemia, kidney disease, or immunosuppression (HIV).
  
• Are a child and or adolescent (6 months to 18 years old who is receiving long-term aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza infection.
  
• Are a woman who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
  
• Can transmit influenza to those at high risk such as health care professionals, employees of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities, providers of home care, household contacts (including children) of high-risk persons and out-of-home caregivers of children 0-23 months.