The New York City Department of Health wants to remind you that if you are 50 or older, or have a long term medical condition, you need a flu shot every year. Pregnant women and kids 6 months old to their 5th birthday need to get a flu shot, too.

For more information on where you can get a flu shot call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/health

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious respiratory illness with fever, cough, muscle aches, and sore throat. Every year, more than 2,500 New Yorkers die of flu and pneumonia. A flu shot is just as important as any other life-saving medication. You need this year's flu shot for this year's flu. Last year's shot will NOT protect you now. Flu shots are available from October through June. The sooner you get one, the quicker you'll be protected.

People at high risk for complications from the flu should always get a flu shot every year:

• People age 50 and older (especially those 65 and older).
  
• People in nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities.
  
• Persons with long-term health problems, such as:
  
• Diabetes.
  
• Lung disease, including asthma.
  
• Heart disease.
  
• Kidney disease.
  
• Sickle cell anemia.
  
• Weak immune system (e.g., from HIV or cancer treatment).
  
• Seizure, neuromuscular, and other disorders that may cause breathing problems.

Anyone can get the flu. While the people listed above should ALWAYS get an annual shot, almost everyone else can benefit from a flu shot, too.

To find out where to get a flu shot, visit nyc.gov/health/flu or call 311.

Protect Against Pneumonia, Too

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious disease.

Everyone 65 and older should get a pneumococcal shot ONCE for life-long protection. Most people with weakened immune systems or long-term health problems should also get this shot.

A single re-vaccination is recommended after 5 years for those with weakened immune systems and people over 65 who were vaccinated before age 65.

Regular Flu ... "Bird Flu" ... Pandemic Flu: What's the Difference?

Regular (seasonal) flu spreads person-to-person every winter and spring around the world. Flu shots prevent regular flu or make it much less severe.

Bird (avian) flu is a different disease caused by a different flu virus. There is no vaccine against bird flu currently available. One type (H5N1) has killed a lot of birds overseas. Rarely, people in close contact with infected birds have gotten bird flu. H5N1 does not spread easily among people, and has not yet been found in people anywhere in the U.S. A different, mild strain of H5N1 has recently been found in birds in the U.S. but poses no risk to people.

Pandemic flu is a global outbreak that occurs every few decades when a NEW flu strain starts spreading quickly from person-to-person. The last pandemic was in 1968. While there is no threat of pandemic flu right now, New York and other cities have emergency plans in place to respond if a pandemic should ever occur.

Stop the Spread of Infections

Get a flu shot every year as soon as you can.

Reduce infections year-round:

• Stay home when you're sick with fever and cough.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based solution.