Can You Prevent The Flu
Yes. The best way to prevent it is to get an annual flu vaccine.Getting the shot is a smart idea. It makes a big difference in hospitalization and death rates among older adults who live at home and those in nursing homes.
A high-dose flu vaccine is made just for seniors. It has four times as much active ingredient as a regular flu shot to provide a better immune response in older people. Itâs recommended for people ages 65 and older, if it’s available.
Keep in mind that the seasonal flu viruses change each year, so older adults need to get a new flu shot each fall.
Also, there are two vaccines to prevent pneumonia. If youâre a healthy adult over age 65, the CDC suggests you get both vaccines. The timing and sequence will vary depending on what vaccine youâve had before.
Tetanus Diphtheria And Pertussis Vaccines
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are serious diseases that can lead to death.
- Tetanus is caused by bacteria found in soil, dust, and manure. It enters the body through cuts in the skin.
- Diphtheria, also caused by bacteria, is a serious illness that can affect the tonsils, throat, nose, or skin. It can spread from person to person.
- Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is caused by bacteria. It is a serious illness that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It can spread from person to person.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Most people get vaccinated as children, but you also need booster shots as you get older to stay best protected against these diseases. The CDC recommends that adults get a Tdap or Td booster shot every 10 years. Ask your doctor when you need your booster shot.
Vaccines Seniors Dont Need
One of the benefits of being a senior is that you dont need some of the vaccines that your younger counterparts will need. Morgan Katz, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, tells AARP, anyone born before 1957 wouldnt need a measles vaccine because the disease was so prevalent when they grew up that immunity as an adult is assumed.
Most seniors have also been exposed to the chickenpox virus and wont need the chickenpox vaccine. However, dont forget the shingles vaccine. After a chickenpox infection, the virus lays dormant in your nerves and can rear its ugly head later in life with a painful rash we call shingles.
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Flu Older Adults And Caregivers
Flu is highly contagious and is spread by coughing and contact. Symptoms include fever, cough, aches, and tiredness. Flu is caused by a virus and can cause mild to severe illness. In some cases, it can lead to death. Flu symptoms may come on quickly and include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, flu can lead to death. A flu shot and healthy habits can reduce your risk of getting and spreading the flu. A vaccine can also keep you from getting very sick if you do get the flu.
The Flu Shot Is Effective
The effectiveness of the vaccine varies from season to season. It depends on:
- how well the vaccine matches with the circulating flu viruses
- the health and age of the person getting the flu shot
The viruses circulating in the population can sometimes change during the time it takes to produce a vaccine. When this happens during the flu season, the flu shot may not work as well as expected.
It’s also important to remember that the flu shot protects against several different flu viruses each season. The seasonal flu shot can still provide protection against the remaining 2 or 3 viruses, even when theres:
- a less-than-ideal match
- lower effectiveness against one virus
If you do get the flu, the flu shot may reduce the severity of flu-related complications.
Getting your flu shot is still the most effective way to protect yourself against the flu and flu-related complications.
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Where To Get A Flu Shot: Find A Local Clinic
Flu shots are available in many convenient locations, like major drugstores, health clinics, and doctors offices.
That makes getting a flu shot quick and easy most of these locations dont even require an appointment, you can walk in anytime.
This year, the nationwide online vaccine finder has been dedicated to locating Covid-19 vaccines.
To find a flu shot near you, contact your doctors office or use online flu vaccine finders from major drugstore pharmacies including:
How Can People Get Social Interaction Safely
If you are at risk but are choosing to interact with people, experts recommend keeping an eye on state and county websites, which often share information about how many cases are in a given area. Use that data to gauge the risk of a social interaction.
“Most states are now setting up a dashboard that includes information about the number of cases but also the test positivity rates,” Kachur said. “The positivity can give you a quick idea… If the proportion of people being tested is positive, that often indicates that transmission is increasing.”
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Possible Side Effects Of Influenza Vaccination
You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.
Common side effects of influenza vaccines include:
- pain, redness, swelling or hardness where the needle went in
- fever, tiredness, body aches.
Talk to your immunisation provider about possible side effects of the influenza vaccines, or if you or your child have side effects that worry you.
The Consumer Medicine Information available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website lists the ingredients and side effects of each vaccine.
Learn more about the possible side effects of vaccination
Should Seniors Take Extra Precautions Against Covid
As the coronavirus pandemic continues and flu season begins, leading to concerns of a “twindemic” in the United States, health experts are urging those who are high-risk for either or both illnesses to limit their social bubbles to stay healthy.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the country, said on Sept. 10 that people needed to prepare to “hunker down and get through this fall and winter.”
We’ve been through this before, Fauci said. Don’t ever, ever underestimate the potential of the pandemic. And don’t try and look at the rosy side of things.”
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For Older Adults When Should You Get The Flu Vaccine
As summer draws to a close, you start to see and hear more about the flu shot. And, especially if youre 65 or older, you hear a lot about the importance of getting the flu vaccine. Whats even more critical, however, is the timing. When should you get it? While the CDCs general recommendation is
Senior woman prepares to receive a flu vaccine.
As summer draws to a close, you start to see and hear more about the flu shot. And, especially if youre 65 or older, you hear a lot about the importance of getting the flu vaccine. Whats even more critical, however, is the timing.
When should you get it?
While the CDCs general recommendation is that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, older adults should get their vaccinations a little later, just before or around Thanksgiving. Vaccine-induced immunity wanes faster in older adults, so by waiting a few weeks for vaccination, protection can be extended further into the winter months, when flu is most likely to be spreading. The right timing for the flu vaccine is especially important for older adults, who are at a higher risk. Flu season typically runs from October to May.
If people get the vaccine too early, for example August or September, the immunity wanes in February or March when the likelihood of contracting the flu may be higher, says Dr. George Kuchel, director of the UConn Center on Aging. People really need to understand the criticality of timing to ensure protection during the worst part of the season.
It’s Possible To Get The Flu And The Coronavirus At The Same Time
Dr. Christie Alexander, an associate professor at the Florida State University College of Medicine and president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians, said in a press release last month she recommends “continuing to get the flu shot to not only avoid getting the flu, but to avoid complications from the flu, such as hospitalizations, influenza-associated illnesses like pneumonia or even death.”
It’s avoiding those complications that may make getting the flu shot especially important during outbreaks of the novel coronavirus, which is more likely to cause serious symptoms or lead to death in people with certain health conditions, including respiratory issues.
Woc-Colburn said that while it’s unclear if having the flu will make you more susceptible to the coronavirus, anyone who’s had one virus in their household only to contract another while they’re on the mend can understand why that might be the case. “When you’re recovering from a disease, you don’t want to be hit again with another disease,” she said.
Plus, it’s possible to get both at once, which will only exacerbate symptoms, as one case study out of China illustrates.
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Why Should You Limit Your Social Bubble Now
Even if you’ve been having more social interaction over the past few months, it’s important to start carefully considering your contacts now.
One reason is because of the increased risk of flu and coronavirus and the complications that accompany those illnesses. There’s also concern that as the weather gets colder, more indoor activity will take place. Research has shown that the virus is less likely to spread in an outdoor environment.
Can You Get Vaccinated Too Early
This is a common concern since flu season can last through May, and the CDC has updated its recommendations for timing this year: For non-pregnant adults, vaccination in July and August should be avoided, even if vaccine is available during these months, unless there is concern that later vaccination might not be possible.
Keep in mind that it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop and provide full immunity following the shot. Immunity remains effective for up to one year, but the protective antibodies do decline over time.
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When Is The Best Time To Get A Flu Shot For Seniors
The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older who isnt contraindicated get an annual flu vaccination by the end of October when influenza activity typically begins increasing. For people over 65, getting the shot each year in or is especially important.
Additionally, older adults should consider getting a higher dose flu vaccine, an adjuvanted vaccine or a recombinant vaccine. These types are designed to address age-related decline of the immune system by triggering the production of more antibodies. However, the CDC notes that vaccination should not be delayed for a specific vaccine product when another vaccine licensed for use in people 56 and older is available.
What Type Of Vaccine Is Recommended For Seniors The High
For the 2021-2022 flu season, adults over age 65 should get either the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine or the flu vaccine with adjuvant .
Seniors need these special high-dose versions of the flu shot because their immune systems dont produce as strong an immune response after getting the regular-dose vaccine.
That reduces the regular dose vaccines effectiveness and puts them at higher risk for severe illness.
The higher dose vaccines help older bodies produce a better immune response and increases their protection against the flu.
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Whats New And Resources For The 2021
The CDC maintains a page dedicated to the current flu season. There is a section for the public and also a section for providers. This is a good place to get up-to-date information on influenza and influenza vaccination. You can find it here:
Note that the CDCs Flu FAQ page currently includes lots of information about influenza and COVID-19, such as how to tell them apart, why its safe to be vaccinated for both at the same time, and more.
The CDC also provides information specific to older adults here:
Reasons Why Flu Vaccines Are So Importantfor Seniors
1. Seniors and caregivers are at higher risk for fluCold and flu season is here again. Two of the most at-risk populations are seniors and caregivers.
Many seniors are vulnerable to seasonal flu because their immune systems are weaker due to age and often made worse by chronic illness.
Getting a flu shot protects older adults against serious illness and complications.
For caregivers, the chronic stress of taking care of your older adult impairs your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to illness.
And spending a lot of time with your older adult means passing germs back and forth.
When you get a flu shot, youll reduce the risk that youll get sick and infect your older adult. It will also save you the misery of being sick while continuing to care for them.
2. Flu is a serious health risk for seniorsFor seniors, the flu can quickly develop into a severe illness and could cause death.
In fact, the CDC estimates that 70 85% of flu-related deaths and 50 70% of flu-related hospitalizations happen in people who are age 65 and older.
3. Getting the flu shot reduces flu risk and severityEven if the flu vaccine isnt 100% effective, its still worthwhile. Research shows that if someone who is vaccinated does get the flu, they will have a milder case.
People 65 and older are at high risk of serious flu complications and account for the majority of flu hospitalizations and deaths each year.
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Which Option Is Best For You
If youre getting the flu vaccine, you may wonder whether one option is better than others. Your doctor can point you to the one that should work best for you.
In certain years, the nasal spray hasnt been recommended due to effectiveness concerns. But both the shot and the nasal spray are recommended for the 2020 to 2021 flu season.
For the most part, the flu vaccine is safe. But you should check with your doctor before getting it if you have one the following:
- a previous bad reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients
- a fever
Its not unusual to experience mild flu-like symptoms after a vaccination. These symptoms tend to disappear after one to two days. Other common side effects of the vaccine include soreness and redness at the injection site.
Safe And Effective Vaccination Against The Flu
Flu shots are a type of vaccine or immunization. Vaccines allow your body to develop immunity to specific diseases, without needing to become ill or infected.
Once youre vaccinated, youre protected against the condition targeted by that vaccine. And, vaccines protect entire communities, not just individuals, slowing or preventing the spread of infectious diseases between people.
Unlike the many pediatric vaccines given in early childhood, flu shots have to be updated each year. The vaccine is reformulated each year, as new variants of influenza mutate and circulate. Vaccine manufacturers use current studies and information to determine which variants are likely to become dominant in a given flu season.
Vaccines, including the flu shot, are safe to take. Flu shots are as effective as possible each year, and significantly reduce your risk of getting or spreading the flu.
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What Are The Different Types Of Flu Shots Available At Pharmaca
Flu shots containing the quadrivalent vaccine are the most widely available and can be found at most Pharmaca locations.
The Senior flu shot is also available at Pharmaca locations. It is a flu shot designed specifically for people 65 years and older.
The FluMist vaccine is available in limited supply at Pharmaca locations. Call your local store for details.
Please note that flu shots can only be administered to children 7 years and older.
Recommended Vaccine For Adults 65 And Over
Flu vaccines There are special kinds of flu vaccines for people aged 65 and older that are different than regular flu shots. High-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines give a stronger immune response than regular flu shots. This means better protection against flu illness. Adults 65 and older may get a regular flu vaccine, the high-dose, or the adjuvanted vaccine. Your doctor or pharmacist will help you understand which flu shot is right for you. Get your flu vaccine every year as soon as vaccine is available, usually in late summer or early fall.
Here is more information about flu and flu shots:
Pneumococcal vaccines There are two pneumococcal vaccines. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out which of these vaccines are right for you.
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. You should get this vaccine if you’re 65 or older, or younger than 65 and smoke, have asthma, or other certain medical conditions. You may need booster doses if you have a high risk medical condition.
- If you have a condition that weakens the immune system or if you have certain medical conditions, you should get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine . This vaccine protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. Adults 65 years and older with a healthy immune system should discuss with their healthcare provider the need to get PCV13.
Shingles vaccine
Tdap or Td vaccines
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