Given that the flu season is nearing rapidly, United States health officials have reiterated their strong advice to Americans to start getting vaccinated against influenza.

At the end of September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded their recommendations concerning flu shots, stating that all children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years should get vaccinated, which translated as an increase by 30 million in the number of children who needed the shot.

According to the CDC, 5 to 20% of the nation’s population come down with the flu annually and approximately 200,000 people need to be admitted to hospitals in order to receive treatment for influenza-related complications.

On Monday, clinics throughout the nation are scheduled to begin giving flu shots to Americans, health officials informing that the vaccine is in ample supply at medical centers.

In addition, some states, such as New Jersey, have created a policy that requires children to get flu shots in order to attend preschools and day-care centers. Nevertheless, the measure has given rise to criticism and protests from parents, who claim that the requirement violates their freedom of choice and that the shot should be optional and not mandatory.

The infectious disease named influenza’s symptoms include chills and fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. Serious flu cases can develop in pneumonia, which in young children and the elderly alike can be fatal, which is why the latter two categories are the most urged to get vaccinated against influenza.