As the flu season gets closer and closer, you should start making your vaccine preparations. Those with the ability should get a flu vaccine, where possible. However, specific segments of the population should be more concerned.
Included in that group:
Patients over 50
Children older than 3
Those with chronic medical conditions.
The National Council on Aging has come out with specific recommendations for older individuals:
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With flu season fast approaching, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s influenza immunization recommendations and urges older adults to receive an annual influenza vaccination.
“Each year in the U.S. about 9 out of 10 flu-related deaths and more than six out of 10 flu-related hospitalizations occur in adults 65 and older,” says Richard Birkel, PhD, MPA, acting senior vice president of Healthy Aging and director of NCOA’s Self-Management Alliance. “For this reason NCOA wants to help protect older adults from influenza and ensure that people in this age group and those who care for them fully understand the importance of annual immunization and the vaccine options available to them. Through the Flu + You program, we want to help older adults live a better, healthier life.”