Best Ways to Prevent the Flu

Get a flu shot. Not only will a flu shot keep you from getting sick, it will help protect those around you.
Try to get your flu shot as soon as you can if you are in one of these high risk groups:

These People Should Get a Seasonal Flu Vaccine ASAP	These People Should Get a Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Vaccine ASAP
Those age 50 and older	Pregnant women
Pregnant women	Household contacts and caregivers for babies younger than 6 months of age
Children 6 months to 18 years of age	Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
People of any age who have chronic medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, congestive heart failure, lung disease)	All children from 6 months to 17 years of age
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities	Young adults 18 to 24 years of age
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu.	People 25 through 64 years of age who have health conditions that put them at higher risk of medical complications from flu.

Other Steps You Can Take to Stay Well

Wash your hands with soap and water often and thoroughly. (Wash them for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice.)
Stay away from people who are sick. And if you get sick, stay home from work, school and errands. You will help keep others from getting sick.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue, if one is handy and throw it away immediately after use. Otherwise, use your upper sleeve.
Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

If, after reading the information available here, you have questions about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine,
please call 1-800-27SHOTS (1-800-277-4687).