Identify Who’s at Risk

Fact: On average, over 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die each year because of seasonal influenza and its complications. [1] As the number of high-risk patients grows higher, awareness of these groups remains low. Making the difference begins with YOU, and with proper identification of high-risk groups.

The CDC has identified 7 key groups that are considered high risk for the flu. [2] It is very important to familiarize yourself with these groups and be sure that individuals within each group are vaccinated.

The goal is to make sure that everyone is protected, including those who are healthy but still run the risk of infecting at-risk patients close to them – such as healthcare professionals like you and healthy household contacts who live with and care for
at-risk patients. This requires a more realistic assessment of high-risk groups, and greater awareness by those who may not be “high risk” but can pass the infection on to others if unprotected.

Click to select a specific group to learn more:

• Children
• Older adults
• Pregnant women, and women who will be pregnant
• People with specific medical conditions
• People living and working in chronic-care facilities
• Healthcare workers
• Healthy household contacts (someone who lives with, cares for, or comes in contact with someone at risk)