Senior Citizens Need to Get In Line for Widely
Available H1N1, Seasonal Flu Vaccinations
Many seniors confused about antiviral drugs being
used to treat flu; they are high priority if sick
Jan. 6, 2010 – This has been a confusing flu season
for senior citizens. Almost all older Americans know they should get the
seasonal flu shot each winter and that Medicare pays for it. This year,
however, the H1N1 flu struck and seniors were not on the high priority
list for vaccinations, because they seemed to have some immunity not
enjoyed by younger people. Now, however, there is plenty of H1N1 vaccine
out there and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the
elderly should get the shot.
“People 65 years and older are now encouraged to
seek vaccination against 2009 H1N1 vaccine if local supply is
sufficient,” the CDC says on its Website.
“Supplies of the vaccines to protect against the
2009 H1N1 virus are increasing and many places have opened up
vaccination to anyone who wants it. This vaccine is the best way to
protect against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus. Those who have been
patiently waiting to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, including people 65
years and older, are now encouraged to get vaccinated depending on local
supply.”
Recent checks indicate the vaccine is now widely
available.
The CDC is also continuing to reminded seniors to
get the seasonal flu vaccination.
The best way to prevent the flu is with a flu
vaccine. People 65 and older who have not yet gotten a seasonal flu
vaccine should still seek vaccination, although supplies of seasonal flu
vaccine are somewhat limited because of early availability of, and high
interest in, seasonal flu vaccine this year.”
People 65 Years and Older and Seasonal Flu
It has been recognized for many years that older
people are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu
compared with young, healthy adults. It’s estimated that 90 percent of
seasonal flu-related deaths and more than 60 percent of seasonal
flu-related hospitalizations in the United States each year occur in
people 65 years and older. This is because human immune defenses become
weaker with age. So influenza can be a very serious disease for people
65 and older.
The new 2009 H1N1 virus does not seem to be
affecting people 65 years and older in the same way that seasonal flu
usually does. Most people who have gotten sick from this new virus have
been younger.
People 65 and older are less likely to get infected
with this new virus. There have been relatively few infections and even
fewer cases of serious illness and death with this new virus in people
older than 65.
Laboratory tests on blood samples indicate that
some older people likely have some pre-existing immunity to the 2009
H1N1 flu virus. But while people 65 and older are less likely to be
infected with 2009 H1N1 flu, those that do become infected are at
greater risk of having serious complications from their illness and
there have been severe infections and deaths in every age group,
including older people.
Some outbreaks among older people living in
long-term care facilities also have been reported. People 65 years and
older are now encouraged to seek vaccination against 2009 H1N1.
Influenza is unpredictable, but flu is expected to continue for months,
caused by either 2009 H1N1 viruses or regular seasonal flu viruses. This
vaccine is the best way to protect against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus.
H1N1 Vaccine Available for Seniors
The U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses
of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have
the opportunity to do so. While people 65 and older were not included in
the groups recommended to get the earliest doses of vaccine, they are
encouraged to seek vaccination now that vaccine supplies are increasing
and many places have opened up vaccination to anyone who wants it.
Below is more advice on the flu for senior citizens
from the CDC.
Take Everyday Preventive Actions including
covering coughs, washing hands often and avoiding people who are sick.
Seek medical advice quickly if you develop
flu symptoms to see whether you might need medical evaluation or
possibly treatment with antiviral medications.
People 65 and older are prioritized to get
antiviral drugs if they become sick with the flu according to CDC’s
guidance. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or
stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may
also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu,
including 2009 H1N1, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
About Antiviral Treatments for 2009 H1N1
People Age 65 Years and Older and Antiviral
Drugs
Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription drugs
(pills, liquid, or inhaled powder) that can treat flu illness. These
drugs decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce in the body.
While getting a flu vaccine each year is the first and most important
step in preventing the flu, antiviral drugs are a second line of defense
against the flu for treatment.
It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used
early to treat flu illness in people 65 and older who are very sick (for
example people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu
and who also have a greater chance of getting
serious flu complications.
Although they are less likely to be infected with
2009 H1N1 flu, people age 65 and older are at higher risk for influenza
related complications. Therefore, they are prioritized for antiviral
treatment if they get sick with either seasonal or 2009 H1N1 flu this
season.
What antiviral drugs are recommended this flu
season?
There are two antiviral drugs recommended by CDC
this season. The brand names for these are Tamiflu® and Relenza® (The
generic names for these drugs are oseltamivir and zanamivir). Tamiflu®
is available as a pill or liquid and Relenza® is a powder that is
inhaled.
Who should take antiviral drugs?
It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used
early to treat flu in people who are very sick (for example people who
are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a greater
chance of getting serious flu complications (see box below). People 65
and older are prioritized to get antiviral drugs if they become sick
with the flu according to CDC’s guidance. Other people may also be
treated with antiviral drugs by their doctor this season. Most healthy
people with flu, however, do not need to be treated with antiviral
drugs.
What are the benefits of antiviral drugs?
When used for treatment, these drugs can make you
feel better and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They can
also prevent serious flu complications.
When should antiviral drugs be taken for
treatment?
Studies have shown that flu antiviral drugs work
best for treatment if they are started within 2 days of getting sick.
There may still be benefit in treating people with antiviral drugs even
after two days have gone by, especially if the sick person has a greater
change of serious flu complications (see box below) or if the person has
certain symptoms (such as shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure,
dizziness, or confusion) or is in the hospital because of the flu.
How long should antiviral drugs be taken?
To treat flu, Tamiflu® and Relenza® are usually
taken for 5 days, although people hospitalized with flu may need the
medicine for longer than 5 days.
What are the side effects of antiviral drugs?
Side effects differ for each antiviral drug.
Tamiflu® has been in use since 1999. The most
common side effects are nausea or vomiting which usually happen in the
first 2 days of treatment. Taking Tamiflu® with food can reduce the
chance of getting these side effects.
Relenza® has been in use since 1999. The most
common side effects are dizziness, sinusitis, runny or stuffy nose,
cough, diarrhea, nausea, or headache. Relenza® may also cause wheezing
and trouble breathing in people with lung disease.
Confusion and abnormal behavior leading to injury
has been observed rarely in people with the flu, mostly children, who
were treated with Tamiflu® or Relenza®. Flu can also cause these
behaviors. But persons taking these drugs should be closely monitored
for signs of unusual behavior or problems thinking clearly. This
behavior should be immediately reported to a health care provider.
If an antiviral drug has been prescribed for you,
ask your doctor to explain how to use the drug and any possible side
effects.
Treatment Is Important for High Risk Groups
People in high risk groups (see box below) should
talk to their health care provider as soon as possible if they think
they may have the flu because they have a greater chance of getting
serious flu complications than other persons. Flu antiviral drugs can
make you feel better, shorten the time you are sick, and prevent serious
flu complications, especially if treatment is begun within 2 days of
getting sick. Flu antiviral drugs must be prescribed by a physician.
Don’t Delay Treatment
If your doctor prescribed Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) or
Relenza® (zanamivir) for you, don’t delay filling the prescription, and
start taking the medication as soon as you get it. This way you will get
the most benefit. It’s very important that antiviral drugs be started as
soon as possible for the flu, ideally within 2 days of getting sick.
Don’t Confuse Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) with
Theraflu®
Tamiflu® is the brand name and oseltamivir is the
generic name of a prescription antiviral drug used to treat the flu and
should not be confused with Theraflu®, which is an over-the-counter
medication. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter. You can only
get them if you have a prescription from your health care provider.
High Risk
Groups
People who have a greater chance of
serious flu complications can include:
● Adults 65 years and older
● Children younger than 2 years old*
● Pregnant women and women up to 2
weeks from end of pregnancy
● People with certain chronic
medical conditions (such as asthma, heart failure, chronic
lung disease) and people with a weak immune system (such as
diabetes, HIV)
● People younger than 19 years of
age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
*It is also important to know that
children who are 2 years though 4 years of age also have a
higher rate of complications compared to older children,
although the risk for these children is lower than the risk
for children younger than 2 years.
Jan. 6, 2010 – This has been a confusing flu season
for senior citizens. Almost all older Americans know they should get the
seasonal flu shot each winter and that Medicare pays for it. This year,
however, the H1N1 flu struck and seniors were not on the high priority
list for vaccinations, because they seemed to have some immunity not
enjoyed by younger people. Now, however, there is plenty of H1N1 vaccine
out there and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the
elderly should get the shot.
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