- The overall message for these individuals who are age 18 to 44 is that they are not without risk, especially if they have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease. The fact that they are so young and having had, or having these conditions means that they also very likely have other high risk conditions such as obesity and potentially diabetes. All of these place these patients at increased risk for adverse outcomes for complications if they do get sick. So one of the best things that we can do for our health every year, regardless of whether we have an underlying health condition or not is to get the influenza vaccine, because it not only helps us especially if we have high risk conditions but it helps others that are around us that may have these health conditions whereby we may be less likely to spread influenza to them. So regardless of whether an 18 to 44 year old has an underlying condition or not, but especially if they do, it is very important for their health every year to get influenza vaccine.