Table 3. Recommended Recipients of Influenza Vaccine for the 2010-2011 Season*.

People at high risk of influenza-related complications or those more likely to require hospitalization

• Adults (including pregnant women) and children with the following chronic health conditions:                ◦ cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma);                ◦ diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases;                ◦ cancer, immunodeficiency, immunosuppression (due to underlying disease and/or therapy);                ◦ renal disease;                ◦ anemia or hemoglobinopathy;                ◦ conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration; and                ◦ children and adolescents with conditions treated for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid.   • People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.   • People ≥65 years of age.   • Healthy children 6 to 23 months of age.   • Healthy pregnant women (the risk of influenza-related hospitalization increases with length of gestation, i.e. it is higher in the third than in the second trimester).

People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk

• Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who, through their activities, are capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of influenza complications.   • Household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications (whether or not the individual at high risk has been immunized):                ◦ household contacts of individuals at high risk, as listed in the section above;                ◦ household contacts of infants <6 months of age who are at high risk of complications from influenza but for whom influenza vaccine is not authorized; and                ◦ members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season.   • Those providing regular child care to children <24 months of age, whether in or out of the home.   • Those who provide services within closed or relatively closed settings to persons at high risk (e.g. crew on a ship).

Others

• People who provide essential community services.   • People in direct contact during culling operations with poultry infected with avian influenza.

Special consideration in 2010–2011

• Persons who are morbidly obese (BMI≥40).   • Aboriginal peoples.   • Healthy children 2 to 4 years of age.

*Note: Healthy persons aged 5 to 64 years without contraindication are also encouraged to receive influenza vaccine even if they are not in one of the priority groups.