What are the high-risk groups?

Flu vaccination is especially important for protecting people who are at high risk due to comorbidities, specific conditions, or age.

The following health and age factors increase the risk of getting serious flu complications:

Pregnant women

The flu can cause serious complications. Although not everyone with the flu will have a fever, a common flu symptom is fever, in pregnant women is seen to cause neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for a developing baby. Because the pregnant parent passes antibodies on to the developing baby during pregnancy, getting vaccinated during pregnancy is safe and can also help protect a baby from the flu after birth. Women who get the flu vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding also develop antibodies against the flu that they can share with their infants through their breast milk.¹⁷

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Young children

Children aged 5 and younger, especially those younger than 2, are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. Children with certain chronic health conditions also have higher risk.

It is also very important to be aware that, although not at higher risk, children age 5 and older can spread the flu to their higher risk family members (infants and adults who are 65 years and older or people of any age who have certain chronic health conditions).¹⁷

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People 65 years and older

Every year people who are 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. They are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications compared with young, healthy adults. Increased risk is related to the changes in immune system that take place with increasing age. In recent years, for example, it’s estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older, and between 50 percent and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group.¹⁷

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People with Heart Disease or History of Stroke

People with heart disease and those who have had a stroke are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.

One of the most common chronic (long-term) conditions among adults hospitalized with the flu was heart disease. Studies have shown that flu illness is associated with an increase in heart attacks and stroke. Studies found that the risk of having a heart attack was 6-17x elevated within 1 week of infection.^18,19 Also, in those studies they found 8x elevated risk of stroke up to 60 days after influenza infection.^19,20

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People with Diabetes

Even with well managed diabetes (type 1, type 2, or gestational), higher risk of developing serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization and sometimes even death is seen among this group of people. Diabetic patients are at increased risk of developing some of the following flu-related complications: Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia), infection of the main airways (bronchitis), sinus infections, and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications.¹⁷

Diabetic patients are at increased risk of complications, 3 to 6 times higher risk^21-23 for hospitalizations and 6 times increased risk of deaths due to influenza complications.²³

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People with Asthma

Even if their asthma is mild or their symptoms are well-controlled by medication, people with asthma are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. They can develop swollen and sensitive airways, while the flu can cause further inflammation of the airways and lungs, which might trigger asthma attacks and cause worsening of asthma symptoms. The flu also can lead to Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) and other acute respiratory diseases. Among children hospitalized with the flu, asthma is the most common medical condition.¹⁷

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People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) weakens immune response, which can make the immune system less able to fight infections, people with CKD are at high risk of developing serious flu complications, which can result in hospitalization and even death. People with CKD, kidney transplants, and undergoing dialysis treatment all have increased risk of developing severe complications from the flu.¹⁷

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People with certain health conditions, including:

Metabolic disorders
Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
Disorders that may cause breathing problems, such as seizure, nerve and muscle disorders
Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
People who are very overweight (a Body Mass Index of 40 and over)
Weakened immune system (such as from HIV or cancer treatment)

What are the high-risk groups? | preventFLU