Flu season is soon upon us and you may be wondering whether you need to be vaccinated. Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from the flu. The following groups have a higher risk of dying should they catch the flu and therefore the CDC recommends the flu vaccine each year:

· age 6 months up to 19 years

· pregnancy

· 50 years old or older

· those with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart, kidney or lung disease

· those with a weakened immune system from medications or HIV infection

· those in nursing homes or other long term care facilities child care or health care workers or those that live with or care for someone at high risk of complications from the flu.

If you fall into one or more of these groups, be sure to get your flu shot soon! It could save your life!