Riverside – As the 2019 flu season draws near health officials are reminding citizens of the importance of getting their annual flu shots—especially those who are most vulnerable like children, seniors, those with compromised immune systems, those with diabetes, etc.
Children below the age five years and especially those below two years of age are at greater risk of getting the flu because their immune systems are not fully mature. Also, those above 65 years old are more susceptible because their immune systems usually weaken as they age.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year in America there are nearly 200,000 hospital admissions and 49,000 deaths from the flu. Officials caution because the flu viruses change quickly and new vaccines come out each year, it is important to get a flu shot each year.