# 2389
The chart below is a graphic representation of the number of people who died each week over the past 3 years in 122 American cities from either influenza or pneumonia.
As you can see, during the summer months the numbers drop. During the fall and winter they climb.
Sometimes to epidemic levels.
Now that it is October, the yearly climb is set to begin. How bad this year will be, compared to years past, is unknowable in advance.
But the overall numbers really don't matter if it is you, or someone you care about, who has the flu or pneumonia.
Even in a mild year, upwards to 30,000 Americans will die from complications of influenza.
While life never offers any guarantees, there is one thing you can do to lessen your chance of becoming an influenza statistic.
Get your yearly flu shot.
That is why I support the CDC's yearly push for flu vaccinations, and why I elected to put this link on my sidebar.
For the week (40) ending Oct 4th, 2008, the CDC's surveillance system is reporting sporadic activity in seven states (California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, New York, and Wyoming).
It takes several weeks for full immunity to develop after you get the shot. So getting your shot early, before flu hits your community, makes sense.
Here are the CDC's recommendations on who should received the yearly flu vaccine.
Who Should Get Vaccinated
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.
However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.
People who should get vaccinated each year are:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
a. Health care workers
b. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
c. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
