Everyone in my family, from my 16-month-old grandson to my 87-year-old mother, got a flu shot this year. They did it on their own, with no badgering from me even though I completely support the Panhandle Health District's firm stance on the importance of flu shots to public health.

My daughters know that young children are at a higher risk for flu complications, such as pneumonia, than people who are older and typically healthy.

My mother knows that more seniors die from flu complications than any other age group. She's remarkably healthy for 87, but her immune system isn't as effective as it used to be. Rather than try to prove she's invincible, she's showing us that she's smart enough to know when she needs protection.

The rest of us get a flu shot so we don't get sick or as sick. We don't want the possible complications from the flu and we don't want to spread the virus to anyone, but particularly to people more likely to suffer from complications - pregnant women, young children, seniors and people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma or heart disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the flu vaccine annually for everyone starting at age 6 months. Flu viruses change constantly. Most years, the vaccine changes to target the viruses believed to be circulating that season.

Health experts are predicting a bad 2012-2013 flu season. The season started two months early nationwide. Between October and the first week in December, 677 people across the nation were hospitalized with the flu.

If enough people get the flu shot, health experts may turn out wrong. The vaccine targets three different flu viruses and is right on target for two and about a 70 percent match for the third strain.

The flu vaccine is the best protection available from the flu, but not everyone can have the vaccine. Infants younger than 6 months old are too young for the vaccine. People allergic to chicken eggs shouldn't have the vaccine.

Anyone healthy who doesn't fall into one of those two groups can help protect those who can't have the vaccine by getting a flu shot.

Here's what people risk without protection: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and, for some, vomiting and diarrhea. Not everyone has a fever with the flu, but the rest of the symptoms are bad enough.

Complications from the flu range from pneumonia and bronchitis to ear and sinus infections. For people with a chronic illness or weakened immune system, the flu can worsen health problems.

There are simple protections, in addition to the flu shot, that help protect us from the flu. Washing hands well and often with warm water and soap offers protection from all sorts of nasty stuff that hands pick up from doorknobs, handshakes and more.

The flu is a respiratory illness. It spreads when people cough, sneeze or talk and their droplets travel through the air. Covering your cough and sneezing into your sleeve help to prevent droplets from spreading. Staying at least three feet away from anyone with symptoms is wise.

Another way to slow flu's spread is for people to stay home when they're sick. The flu is contagious a day before symptoms show and for five to seven days once the symptoms start. Children stay contagious longer because their immune systems are immature.

The Panhandle Health District has flu shots for children through age 18 and a high-dose flu shots for people older than 64. PHD has a few shots left for adults. Adult flu vaccine also is available at local pharmacies.

The more families that make the annual flu shot a tradition, the better for all of us.

To schedule a flu shot at PHD, call 415-5270.

Cynthia Taggart is the public information officer for the Panhandle Health District. She can be reached at ctaggart@phd1.idaho.gov.