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Flu Shots Recommended for People 50 Years and Older
By
Stephen Baetge
Staff Writer
For
many Americans, getting influenza, also known as “the flu,” means
feeling achy, tired and feverish. But for seniors, getting the flu
can be a serious condition, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) to issue a recommendation urging people 50 years and
older to immediately get flu shots for their protection.
Seniors are at a high risk for developing serious flu complications because they
have weaker immune systems, which make them more vulnerable to illnesses.
Approximately 36,000 people die, and more than 200,000 are hospitalized from
serious flu complications in America each year. Ninety percent of flu deaths
and more than half of all hospitalizations occur in people 65 years of age and
older.
Despite the dangers created by influenza, nearly 30 percent of persons age 65
or older don’t get vaccinated each year.
“Flu is not to be taken lightly. People who do not get the flu vaccine
are taking two risks: first, they risk a potentially serious case of the flu.
And second, if they get sick, they risk passing it on to family, friends and
co-workers,” says Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC.
“The latter can be especially dangerous for people with high risk of serious,
flu-related complications and death,” she said.
Those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, kidney disease
or cancer should make sure they get an influenza vaccine this year.
Flu shots should be given as soon as possible because the vaccines are not immediately
effective. After getting the vaccine, the body takes about two weeks to build
up immunity to flu viruses in the vaccine.
“Vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself and the people
you love from influenza,” explains Dr. Schuchat.
CDC recommends that immunizations begin as soon as a vaccine is available; however
vaccinations can continue into December and beyond. Getting the vaccine later
in the season can still provide protection against influenza, as flu season usually
does not peak until February or later, and flu activity can continue into the
spring.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and because the three influenza viruses
in the flu shot are not live, you cannot get the flu virus from the vaccine.
Since flu viruses change every year, the flu vaccine is updated annually, making
it necessary to be vaccinated each year.
The vaccine can protect seniors from getting sick, or it can make their illnesses
milder if they get a different flu virus.
While the flu is hardest on those above age 65, CDC recommends that anyone over
age 50 get the vaccination.
CDC also recommends vaccinations for children 6 months through 18 years of age;
pregnant women; people of all ages with chronic health conditions like asthma,
diabetes and heart or lung disease; and anyone who lives in a nursing home or
long-term care facility.
Because influenza is highly contagious, an infected person can easily spread
it with a cough or sneeze. And many people are unaware that the flu virus can
be passed to others even before your symptoms develop. So people who live with
or care for anyone in a high risk group should also get a flu vaccine to protect
their high-risk contact.
To learn more about the flu vaccine or where to get one, contact your doctor
or local health department. To learn more, call CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit
www.cdc.gov/flu.
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Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
