11 Groups Who Shouldn't Skip a Flu Shot

Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS

Written By Ellen Greenlaw on November 16, 2022

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  Are You at High Risk?

  Most people ages 6 months and older should get a flu shot. It’s the best way to protect against the flu. But if you’re in one of these 11 high-risk groups, it’s especially important to get vaccinated every year. Click on to learn why.
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  1. Pregnant Women

  Being pregnant puts you at higher risk of serious illness if you get the flu. This is because of changes in your immune system, heart and lungs. The flu can also cause problems for your baby, such as being born too early. Getting a shot not only protects you from the flu, but also can protect your baby for up to 6 months after birth.
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  2. The Young and the Old

  Children younger than age 5 and adults older than age 50 are both at higher risk of having more serious illness from the flu. These age groups are more likely to need medical care because of the flu. And within these groups, those younger than 2 and older than 65 have the highest risk of flu complications like pneumonia.
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  3. People With Asthma

  If you have asthma, your airways are already sensitive. The flu can cause asthma flares and make your symptoms worse. People with asthma are also more likely to get pneumonia after a bout of the flu.
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  4. Caregivers

  When you take care of other people, it’s easy to get the flu—and spread it. If you work in healthcare, or if you take care of young children or older adults, it’s especially important to protect yourself—and those you work with—from the virus.
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  5. People With Diabetes

  If you have diabetes, getting sick with the flu can raise your blood sugar. Even if your diabetes is under control, you have a higher risk of facing a severe illness if you get the flu because diabetes affects your immune system. This makes it more difficult for you to fight off infections.
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  6. Children and Teens on Aspirin Therapy

  Those younger than age 19 who are on long-term aspirin therapy are at higher risk of Reye’s syndrome if they get the flu. Reye’s syndrome is a rare but serious illness that can occur when children or teens take aspirin after having the flu or chickenpox.
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  7. People With a Chronic Illness

  Having a chronic illness or weakened immune system puts you at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu. If you have a chronic illness, such as heart disease, COPD, liver or kidney disease, lung disease, HIV or AIDS, or a neurological disorder, ask your doctor about a flu shot.
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  8. American Indians and Alaska Natives

  American Indians and Alaska Natives are up to 4 times more likely to get pneumonia from the flu than white Americans. And during the 2009 outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus, American Indians and Alaska Natives were 4 times more likely to die from the flu.
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  9. People Who Are Morbidly Obese

  Morbid obesity is having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. After the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, studies found that those who were morbidly obese had a higher risk of serious illness and death of the flu. The exact reason for the higher risk is not known, but it’s possible that the people in the study had unrecognized health conditions, such as diabetes, which carries its own risk of serious illness from the flu.
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  10. Nursing Home Residents

  The flu can spread like wildfire through nursing homes and other chronic care facilities. Since many residents have other risk factors that make the flu dangerous, it’s important to get a flu shot.
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  11. People Who Live With People at Risk

  Getting a flu shot not only protects you from the flu, but also protects those around you. If you live with someone who has a high risk of problems from the flu, get vaccinated. It’s especially important if you live with an infant younger than 6 months, since infants can’t get a flu shot.

11 Groups Who Shouldn't Skip a Flu Shot

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