Flu Facts 

Vaccine Information Statement-Inactivated

Vaccine Information Statement-Inactivated (Spanish)

Vaccine Information Statement-Live, Intranasal

Vaccine Information Statement-Live, Intranasal (Spanish)

Click here for a list of those that may receive the 2023-2024
Flu Vaccine at Canton City Public Health

What is Influenza (Also Called Flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.


Complications of Flu
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.


How Flu Spreads
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.


Who should receive the flu vaccine?
Everyone age 6 months and older who do not have medical contraindications, especially if you fall into one of the following categories:

1. Pregnant women
2. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
3. People 65 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
   - Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 5 years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (children younger than 6 months are at highest risk of flu-related complications but are too young to get vaccinated)
   - Health care workers
   - Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu