Much needed attention continues to focus on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines. Yet another very important vaccine for older adults is the seasonal influenza vaccine or “flu” shot. The single best way to reduce your risk from flu and possibly serious complications is to get the flu shot every year. The good news is that flu shot availability is plentiful. Here are some flu facts to help explain why getting your vaccine is so important.
Nurse Giving Vaccination.
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. The flu virus is different from the coronavirus, and two different vaccines are required for protection. Individuals who have had the COVID-19 vaccine or are planning to be vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely get the flu shot this year and every year.
Just like COVID-19, flu is easily passed from person to person when someone coughs, talks, or sneezes. You can also catch the flu virus from recently contaminated surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touch your mouth, eyes, or nose.
Some symptoms of flu are similar to the common cold, like sneezing, cough, sore throat, and chest discomfort. However, flu usually starts quicker, and symptoms are much more severe than the common cold. Flu symptoms also include fever, body aches, chills, headaches, and feeling tired.
The flu shot is made from inactive (dead) virus that can’t cause influenza infection. However, you may get brief, mild side effects from the flu vaccine that can feel almost flu-like.
While each flu season differs in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of disease. CDC estimates that between 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths and between 50-70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occurred in older adults. People 65+ are at higher risk of developing serious complications from flu compared with younger adults. This increased risk is due in part to declines in immune response with age.
Older adults with chronic conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease, such as asthma or COPD, are at highest risk for developing life-threatening complications from the flu.
Flu vaccines are updated each season to keep up with changing viruses. Also, immunity against the flu virus decreases over a year so annual vaccination is needed to make sure everyone has the best possible protection against flu. Because immunity may decrease more quickly in older people, it is especially important that older adults are not vaccinated too early like in July or August.
As of 2022, federal health officials now recommend a higher dose flu vaccine for people age 65 and older. Known as Fluzone, or Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, studies have shown it