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Flu News for Senior Citizens

Election Day is Good Day for Seniors Citizens to Get Flu Shot While Out

74% of 65+ say they plan to get shot but we need 100%

By Tucker Sutherland, editor

November 7, 2006 – Today is Election Day, and also a good day to get your flu shot while you are out. In some communities these vaccinations are even being offered at the polls. A recent Rasmussen Reports survey found that 74 percent of America's senior citizens – those ages 65 and older – plan to get a flu shot this year. That's not enough. We need 100%.

The Centers for Disease Control says November is an optimum month for getting the vaccination, before the flu season hits. They are, however, encouraging seniors to get shots even in December and January, if they cannot do it now.

Despite 74% of seniors saying they will get the vaccination, it is not likely to happen, according to CDC statistics. Last year, only 63% of seniors got the free shots, which was lower than 2004, when 68% took advantage of the precaution.

There is no reason for senior citizens not to get flu and pneumonia vaccine inoculations this year – there are more vaccine doses available than ever before, the shots are paid for by Medicare Part B and Medicaid and an online flu shot locator (see box) can help easily find where shots are available near your home. Still, statistics show, many will not, which puts them endanger and can help spread the diseases to others.

The CDC estimates that 110 to 115 million doses of the vaccine will be produced this year and the Rasmussen survey of all adults found the majority confident that there will be plenty of the vaccine to go around; only 15% believe there will be a vaccine shortage versus the 72% who believe they are in ready supply.

Confidence falls when respondents are asked if doctors in their community are adequately prepared to handle a flu epidemic. One-third of respondents (33%) believe their community is prepared and 24% disagree. Such doubts should be additional motivation to get the vaccination.

And, here is another thought that may motivate many older Americans. Seniors are the most likely to get the flu, without the vaccine, and many are around their grandchildren. The possibility of being a carrier in the community and passing it on to children – in particular your own grandchildren should move all seniors to take action.

Some seniors have expressed a fear that the vaccine may cause them to get the flu. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of all adults in the Rasmussen survey believe that’s a possibility. Not so, says the CDC, because the virus contained in the vaccine has been inactivated.

The shot also is effective in mitigating symptoms that might normally lead to hospitalization, pneumonia or even death in elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems.

Annual influenza vaccination has additional benefits, too, including avoiding complications like bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and dehydration. It also helps ensure chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma and diabetes do not get worse.

"Taking the time to get this vaccination means that, unlike 200,000 people who are hospitalized every year as a result of flu or its complications, you will stay healthy, even during flu season," says Mark McClellan, former head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Rasmussen respondents believe flu shots are effective in preventing influenza outbreaks—29% believe they are “very effective.” Incredibly, thirteen percent (13%) don’t believe the shots help to prevent the flu; of those individuals, 2% say the shots are “not effective at all.”

Protection Against Pneumonia Available to Senior Citizens

In addition to annual influenza immunization, Americans 65 years of age and older and those of any age with certain medical conditions should also get vaccinated against pneumonia, but must first consult with their physician. The pneumonia vaccine is appropriate at any time of the year, and can be administered at the same time as the influenza vaccine. In most cases, however, the shot may require a permission from your doctor.

"Health experts have seen an alarming increase in the number of older Americans hospitalized for pneumonia," said William G. Plested, III, MD, president, American Medical Association. "The influenza season is an excellent time to remind elderly patients that they also need to be vaccinated against pneumonia."

"According to the CDC, nearly one million seniors are estimated to become ill due to pneumonia each year and roughly one-third will require hospitalization, " said Dr. Plested. "Less than 65 percent of seniors are vaccinated and many instances of illness and potentially serious complications can be avoided through vaccination."

Experts have concluded that improving immunization among those at risk can help prevent potentially life-threatening pneumonia. Although anyone can contract the disease, some groups are at particularly high risk, including persons age 65 years and older, those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems and residents of chronic or long-term care facilities.

Editor's Notes:

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information. For more on this survey – click here.

A survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases found -

● Many regard influenza as similar to the common cold, a concerning misperception since influenza and its complications are responsible for about 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year.

 ● About half of Americans plan to be vaccinated this influenza season

 ● A large percentage of people acknowledged learning about the importance of immunization the hard way, after suffering the severe symptoms and complications of influenza themselves.

 ● The majority of Americans who do not plan to get vaccinated underestimate the seriousness of influenza and are unaware that people of any age can contract the virus and spread it to others.

 ● Americans also think that by December it is too late to be protected by an annual influenza vaccination.

 ● A majority of respondents would stay home in bed resting and drinking plenty of fluids if suffering from flu, a lower number realize their health care providers may be able to prescribe antiviral medications to help treat their symptoms.

While vaccination is the first line of defense against seasonal influenza, prescription antiviral medications play an important role in prevention and treatment. The CDC currently recommends use of two antiviral medications, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza), if antiviral treatment or chemoprophylaxis of influenza is indicated.

If taken within 48 hours of symptom onset, antiviral medications can reduce the duration of influenza, which is usually characterized by fever, dry cough, sore throat, muscle aches, runny or stuffy nose and extreme tiredness. Antiviral medications also can be used to prevent the spread of influenza in households and in health care settings, such as nursing homes.

Additionally, use of antiviral medications is an option for preventing influenza among persons known to have severe allergic reactions to eggs or to other components of the influenza vaccine. These antiviral medications are available by prescription only. As with vaccines, prescription antiviral medications will be in ample supply during the 2006-2007 influenza season in pharmacies across the U.S. Antiviral drugs may be extremely helpful in preventing and controlling the spread of influenza.


 

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