CDC tells healthy adults not to forget flu vaccine

Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, receives a flu shot from Sharon Bonadies at the conclusion of a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. "Vaccination is the single most important step everyone 6 months of age and older can take to protect themselves and their families against influenza," said Frieden. Influenza hospitalized a surprisingly high number of young and middle-aged adults last winter, and this time around the government wants more of them vaccinated. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, receives a flu shot from Sharon Bonadies at the conclusion of a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. "Vaccination is the single most important step everyone 6 months of age and older can take to protect themselves and their families against influenza," said Frieden. Influenza hospitalized a surprisingly high number of young and middle-aged adults last winter, and this time around the government wants more of them vaccinated. (AP Photo/J. David Ake)

By Associated Press September 18, 2014 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – It’s time for flu vaccine again and while it’s important for the whole family, this year health officials have some different advice for different ages: Certain kids should opt for the ouchless nasal spray. Seniors, expect to get a new kind of pneumonia shot along with that flu jab.

And too many young and middle-age adults are skipping the vaccine altogether, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – even though there are more options than ever.

“The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get a flu vaccination,” said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden on Thursday, before rolling up his sleeve to get his own flu shot.

Some things to know about flu vaccinations:

WHO SHOULD BE VACCINATED