TABLE 4. Recommended recipients of influenza vaccine for the 2012-2013 season*.

People at high risk of influenza-related complications or 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, immune compromising conditions (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;      • morbid obesity (BMI≥40); 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.   • All children 6 to 59 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)   • Aboriginal peoples.   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 as these infants are at high risk of complications from influenza but cannot receive influenza vaccine; and      • members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season.   • Those providing regular child care to children ≤ 59 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.

* 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.

^† NOTE: Children 24 to 59 months and their care providers have been added to the list of recommended recipients in the 2012-2013 statement.