Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu shot (vaccine) every year. The seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu.

For many people, the seasonal flu is a mild illness. But sometimes, the flu can be dangerous or even deadly.

The flu:

• Is linked to serious infections like pneumonia (“noo-MOHN-yah”)
• Can make existing health problems worse (for example, long-term heart or lung disease)
• Can lead to hospitalization or death

Flu vaccines can help prevent people from getting sick with the flu – and reduce the risk of hospitalizations and death caused by the flu.

The flu spreads easily from person to person. When you get a flu vaccine, you don’t just protect yourself. You also protect everyone around you.