The Green Bay News-Chronicle Online

Flu season in Wisconsin can run from late fall through early spring. Health experts say those at high risk should receive the flu vaccine in October or November to have the best protection during the height of the flu season.

While the vaccine is effective against the primary two or three strains of the flu virus expected to be most prevalent, there are several other varieties of the flu that the vaccine does not address. Getting the flu shot cannot cause sickness, because the flu viruses within the vaccine are dead.

You are considered high-risk if you fall into any of the following categories:

Age 65 or older

Residents of nursing homes or chronic care facilities with residents of any age who have chronic medical conditions

Adults, and children aged 6 months and older, who have chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, including asthma

Adults, and children aged 6 months and older, who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the past year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney dysfunction, blood disorders or immune system problems

Children and teens aged 6 months to 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, and may be at risk for Reyes syndrome

Women who will be in their second or third trimester of pregnancy Health care workers who directly care for and have close contact with persons at high risk from complications of influenza

Household members of persons in high risk groups

If you fall into any of these high-risk categories, contact your primary health care provider about whether or not you should receive a flu shot this season.