CDC tells healthy adults not to forget flu vaccine

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Think the flu’s only a big threat to kids and seniors? Influenza hospitalized a surprisingly high number of young and middle-aged adults last winter — and this time around the government wants more of them vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says just a third of healthy adults ages 18 to 64 got vaccinated last year. In contrast, 70 percent of children younger than 5 got a flu vaccine, and 65 percent of seniors.

Flu vaccine is recommended for nearly everyone age 6 months or older. There are multiple types to choose from. CDC says the nasal spray is the preferred choice for certain healthy children — those ages 2 to 8 — but if none’s available, they should go ahead and get the regular flu shot.

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