Listed below are high-risk groups as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These individuals are more likely to get flu-related complications if they get sick from the flu and should receive a flu vaccine.

People at High Risk for Developing Flu Complications

• Children younger than 5 years of age but especially children younger than 2 years of age
  
• Adults 65 years of age and older
  
• Pregnant women>
  
• American Indians/Alaska Natives

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People who have medical conditions including:

• Asthma
  
• Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy or spinal cord injury
  
• Chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis
  
• Heart disease, such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease
  
• Blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease
  
• Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes mellitus
  
• Kidney disorders
  
• Liver disorders
  
• Metabolic disorders, such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders
  
• Weakened immune system due to disease or medication, such as people with HIV or AIDS, cancer or those on chronic steroids
  
• People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
  
• People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  
• People who are morbidly obese (body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or greater)

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