Who's first to get flu? Preschoolers

"It could turn out that preventing the young kids from spreading it to the elderly could, in fact, reduce flu in this group that isn't getting the protection we once thought," Mandl says.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

First on the list

The federal government currently recommends that these groups, who are at higher risk for complications, receive the annual influenza vaccine:

* People age 65 and older

* Residents of long-term-care facilities

* People age 2 or older with chronic disease conditions

* Children ages 6 to 23 months

* Pregnant women

* Healthcare workers who provide direct patient care

* Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than 6 months.For flu shots, contact your healthcare provider or county health department.

* The L.A. County Department of Health Services will list dates and locations for its flu shot clinics at www.ladhs.org beginning tomorrow.

* Similar information is available from the Orange County Health Care Agency at www.ochealthinfo.com, from the Riverside County Department of Public Health at www.rivcoph.org and from the Ventura County Health Care Agency at www.vchca.org (click on "Public Health Bulletins"). Residents of San Bernardino County can call (909) 387-6521.