As kids head back to school this fall they're not only coming in contact with old friends.

"They come in contact more with the flu virus and are at higher risk ,if you will, for contracting the disease," said Dr. Susan Moore, a Family Care Physician at Ingham Regional Medical Center.

And that's the main reason why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are broadening the age range for who they recommend get flu shots this year.

"For children this year the new recommendations are that targeting children ages 5 to 18 at getting vaccinated; last year it was ages 6 months up to 4 years, and so now we're including all the childhood population, so ages 6 months to 18," said Sharon Walker of Ingham County Health Department.

" These are really good guidelines, these are to ensure that this vaccine is more efficacious," Moore said.

Even though flu shots aren't mandatory for children in Michigan, health officials are still getting word of the new recommendations out to area schools and daycares.

"Children who get influenza in a daycare or school setting have a greater opportunity of spreading it to others," Walker said.

The Ingham County Health Department works with partners like the Lansing School District for immunization guidelines and they're already ensuring that schools and parents are aware of the changes.

"Getting the message out to our clients and the public, of the importance of getting vaccinated this year," Walker said.

Even though flu shots are often administered in October and November, Moore says before school is even better.

"If you don't get the shots early, for instance starting in September, in some instances we have run out in the past, " Moore said.