Flu News for Senior Citizens
May Be Time for Many Senior Citizens to Seek
Locations to Get Flu Shot - Seasonal and H1N1
Too many senior citizens failing to get seasonal flu
shot; 36,000, mostly seniors, die every years from flu
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Enter your zip code or city, click for a
Google map of your area showing where you can get H1N1 and
seasonal flu shots. |
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Dec. 2, 2009 Most senior citizens are aware that
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that older
Americans are not as vulnerable to the H1N1 (Swine) Flu as are younger
people. The CDC still recommends older Americans get the vaccinations
but they have been moved to the back of the line. Now, with increased
supplies, may be the time to
start checking on the availability of these shots in your local area
with the handy search tool provided by CDC.
It is, however, still extremely important that the
elderly get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible.
For older adults, the seasonal flu can be very
serious, even deadly, says the CDC.
Each year in the U.S., an average
of 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized from serious
flu complications. Ninety percent of flu-related deaths and more than
half of flu-related hospitalizations occur in people age 65 and older.
Still, the records show that about 30 percent of
Americans age 65 or older do not get an annual flu vaccination.
Seniors and H1N1
Recent studies have shown that about a third of
adults 65 years of age and older may have some level of immunity against
the H1N1 flu virus. As a result, this group are not among the
priority groups to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine, according to the
CDC Website.
Federal guidelines call for the new H1N1 vaccine
to be given first to pregnant women, those who live with or care for
children 6 months or younger, health care workers, people aged 6 months
through 24, and people with certain chronic health problems or
compromised immune systems that put them at increased risk for
complications from flu.
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Seniors (Adults 65 Years and Older) and the Flu
Everyone should get the
seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible.
Adults 65 years and older are not at high risk of
getting H1N1
(Swine) flu. They are not in the initial target groups for
vaccination, but may get vaccinated when supplies become available.
Adults 65 years and older are prioritized for
antiviral treatment to limit risk of complications if they get flu.
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Adults 65 years and older who wish to be
vaccinated, may get the H1N1 flu vaccine after the target groups have
been served.
Seniors (adults 65 years and older) are
prioritized for antiviral treatment to limit risk of complication if
they get flu. While your age means you have a lower risk of getting the
flu, certain risk conditions (COPD, diabetes, etc.) mean if you get
sick, you may have higher risk of complications from any influenza.
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FAQ: What You Should Know About the Flu if You are 65 Years or Older
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Click here to locate a seasonal flu clinic near you
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Listen to a podcast about seasonal flu
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More information on the seasonal flu
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Send an e-card to
encourage seniors to get vaccinated
More Links to Flu Reports
California H1N1 Study Finds Those Over 50 Most
Likely to Die in Hospital, Elderly Least Likely
JAMA report shows hospitalizations occurring at all ages; fewer hospitalizations and
fatalities occurring in elderly persons
Nov. 4, 2009
Senior Citizens Should Avoid Common Pain Relievers
When Getting Their Flu Shot
A variety of pain relievers seem to dilute the
production of necessary antibodies to protect against illness
Nov. 3, 2009
Scientists Discover Possible Achilles Heel of
Influenza: Our Old Friends Antioxidants
Opens the door for new drugs that could
prevent severe flu-related lung damage... and another reason to drink red
wine
Oct. 29, 2009
Senior Citizens with Dementia at Much Higher Risk of
Dying with Flu, Not So Likely to Get It
Limited access to health care, inadequate testing
may contribute to higher rates of mortality and lower rates of
diagnosis of flu in elderly with dementia
Oct.
27, 2009
H1N1 Flu Information for Seniors Prepared by CMS for
Medicare, Medicaid Beneficiaries
Medicares coverage of H1N1 flu vaccine and more
explained in Q&A below
Oct.
13, 2009
Microsoft Launches Site to Help Consumers Decide if
They Have H1N1 Flu, What to Do
H1N1 Response Center hopes to keep patients at home
with self-assessment based on material from Emory University.
Oct. 7, 2009
