Public health officials are urging people to get the flu shot needed for protection against influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reiterated its recommendation that all kids aged 6 to 18 years get the flu shot needed for full protection against influenza, as well as pregnant women who will be pregnant during the flu season-October through mid-May, persons over 50 years old, people with certain chronic medical conditions and residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities.

More than 30 million kids and a total of 86% Americans are now supposed to get yearly flu shots, according to the CDC’s recommendations, supported by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The best way to prevent influenza is by getting the flu vaccination each year. In addition to taking their flu vaccination, people are being encouraged to take everyday prevention steps: cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue after you use it, wash your hands often with soap and water, try to avoid closed contact with sick people when possible, stay home if you get the flu and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.

If you do get the flu, antiviral drugs that fight against the disease are the best option for treatment.

According to the CDC’s estimates, each year in the United States more than 36,000 people die from influenza. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and 20,000 of those hospitalized are people younger than 5 years old.