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Flu News for Senior Citizens
Flu Clinics are Open for Business, Wal-Mart Shooting
for a Million People
Senior citizens have
many options for free flu shots this season
October 19, 2006 – Flu shot clinics – free to
senior citizens on Medicare – are busy all over the U.S. These clinics
are easy to locate and there is an ample supply of vaccine, especially
for the high-risk older Americans. Wal-Mart and its associated Sam's
Club, partnering with Theraflu, claim to be hosting the nation's largest
flu vaccination event this month and their target is immunize a
million people.
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on
FLU 2005-06 |
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All the major pharmacies and most located even in
your neighborhood grocery store are providing these free clinics. Many
offer both flu and pneumonia vaccinations, although, you may need
instructions from your doctor for the pneumonia shot.
Wal-Mart's giant event will be held for two
weekends, October 21-22 and October 28-29. The company says it will make
the Fluvirin flu virus vaccines available at 3,349 Wal-Mart and 458
Sam's Club locations.
No appointment is necessary at the Wal-Mart and
Sam's locations – it is "first come, first served" - but many other
local flu clinics to require an appointment.
At the Wal-Mart/Sam's locations the vaccinations
will be administered by certified health care professionals from 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m. local time. Vaccinations will be administered as long as the
in-store supplies last.
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Get Flu Shots Beginning in October |
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October or November is the best time to get a flu
shot, but getting a shot in January or even later can still be
beneficial. Flu season can start as early as October and last as
late as May. In the U.S., the peak of flu season can occur
anywhere from late December through March.
The American Heart Association has released new
guidelines for the 2007-08 flu season with includes a new
recommendation that all heart disease patients get flu shots.
Patients with cardiovascular disease should only
receive the flu vaccine by injection, not the live, attenuated
vaccine given as a nasal spray, which can cause influenza in
this high-risk population.
Every year in the U.S., about 36,000 people die
from influenza (flu) and over 200,000 are hospitalized due to
complications from it. These complications can include bacterial
pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical
conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or
diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), these high-risk individuals include:
● People 50 years and older
● People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care
facilities that house those with long-term illnesses
● Adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or
lung conditions, including asthma
● Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular
medical care or were in a hospital during the prior year because
of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease,
or weakened immune system (including immune system problems
caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency
virus [HIV/AIDS])
● Children 6 months to 18 years old who are on long-term
aspirin therapy. (Children given aspirin while they have
influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.)
● Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
● All children 6 to 59 months of age |
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Wal-Mart says Medicare Part B and Humana
participants with a valid card and picture ID will not be charged for
their flu vaccination. Medicare pays for flu immunizations as part of
its preventive services, but the shots may be covered by other
insurance, as well.
"The CDC recommends annual vaccination each fall as
the single best way to help protect yourself and your loved ones from
contracting influenza," said Suzanne Mintz, President/Co-Founder of the
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA).
"It's important for people to get vaccinated and
protect themselves each year because influenza is contagious, can cause
mild to moderate illness, and at times can cause death, especially in
high- risk persons, such as those with complex chronic conditions."
According to the US Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from influenza and its
complications, while about 36,000 people die from influenza and its
complications during each influenza season. This period can begin as
early as October or November and continue through April.
While most healthy people can recover from
influenza without complications, some individuals, such as people 50
years and older and people with certain chronic health conditions such
as heart and lung disease, are at high risk for serious complications
from influenza.
The CDC recommends those considered to be at high
risk and their close contacts, such as family caregivers, health care
and childcare workers, be vaccinated annually.
"Theraflu is excited to be a sponsor of these flu
vaccination events. Together with Wal-Mart and Novartis Vaccines, we are
committed to help educate and protect as many people in America from
influenza as possible this season by making flu vaccination easy and
accessible," said Brian McNamara, Senior Vice President and General
Manager, Novartis Consumer Health OTC, makers of Theraflu. "One of the
easiest, most convenient ways to help protect yourself from getting
influenza this year is to stop by Wal-Mart or Sam's Club to get your
Fluvirin vaccine administered."
Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Theraflu are committed to
educating consumers about influenza and helping to protect public health
by providing convenient, affordable access to influenza vaccines across
the country. For a full list of participating Wal-Mart, Neighborhood
Markets and Sam's Club locations in your area or more information about
the flu vaccination events, visit www.theraflu.com, www.walmart.com,
www.samsclub.com or call the Wal-Mart Flu Vaccine Hotline at
1-888-881-0372.
"Wal-Mart and our division Sam's Club, together
with Novartis Consumer Health and Theraflu, are providing the
opportunity for convenient and affordable access to flu vaccinations to
our customers, especially for those who might not be able to visit a
doctor's office this season," said Ron Chomiuk, Vice President, Pharmacy
Operations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "The 2006 vaccination effort
illustrates our continued commitment to the overall health and
well-being of our customers, as well as our associates who will have
access to the program."
Pregnant women, children under nine and those who
have egg allergies or have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
cannot get vaccinated for influenza at this event. They should visit
their physician for further information on how they can help protect
themselves this influenza season.
The CDC recommends the following actions to help
prevent the spread of influenza:
● Cover mouth and nose. When coughing or sneezing,
use a tissue whenever possible and discard it in the trash.
● Clean hands often. Make every effort to wash
hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing. Hand-washing
stops the spread of germs. Alcohol-based gels and wipes also work well.
● Remind family members to practice healthy
habits. Germs that cause colds, coughs, influenza and pneumonia can
spread easily among those in close contact. Institute healthy practices
in the home to prevent the spread of illness to other family members.
● Share information about healthy habits with
co-workers. Healthy habits can help reduce illnesses and sick days in
the workplace as well.
● Avoid spreading influenza. Influenza can make
some individuals very ill. It is important to stay home when sick with
the flu to avoid spreading it to others. See a doctor when necessary.
For a complete list of CDC influenza
recommendations,
click here.
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