Over 65? The Flu Shot is Especially Important for You and This Year There’s New Guidance – 5 Things to Know

Flu season is upon us and, unfortunately, is already quite severe. At this time, the U.S. is experiencing the highest number of influenza hospitalizations seen during this period in the last ten years.

Help protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season by getting your annual flu shot!

Read the advice below on why it’s so important for older adults to get a high-dose or adjuvanted flu shot this season:

Adults over 65 have less robust immune systems.

Older adults generally do not have immune systems that are as strong as younger, healthier people. This puts older adults at higher risk for flu and its complications. Because of the threat flu season brings, the West Virginia Immunization Network (WIN) encourages those 65 years and older to get the flu vaccine.

Thankfully, by boosting the immune response, the higher-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines offer better protection against severe flu infections and are designed specifically for people 65 years and older.

A flu shot can reduce the severity of flu complications.

An annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu and its complications.

While anyone can become ill with the flu, older adults are at a higher risk of developing complications from the virus. Another contributing factor to an increased risk of flu complications is the presence of a chronic disease.  If you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or another underlying health condition, the flu can worsen these conditions with serious outcomes.

An estimated 70 to 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in those 65 years and older and between 50 and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur among people in this age group. Getting an annual flu shot is the best way to reduce your risk for flu-related hospitalizations and death.

There are flu vaccines designed specifically for those 65+.

High-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines are preferred for people 65 years and older during the 2022-2023 season.

The high-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines offer better protection against flu viruses and are specifically designed for people over the age of 65. Choosing the right flu vaccine is important and depends on age, health history, allergies, and several other factors.

Talk to your health care provider to find out which flu shot is best for you or visit: www.cdc.gov/flu for more information.

There are preventative steps everyone should consider.

Take additional steps to stay healthy this flu season.

In addition to getting an annual flu shot, all individuals should take these daily steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to keep themselves healthy this flu season:

• Stay home if you are sick and avoid those who are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze; and
• Wash your hands often.

All of these steps add up to keep you healthy.

Getting a flu shot is beneficial to everyone around you.

Remember – everyone adds up when it comes to the flu vaccination!

During an average flu season, the flu can cause millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths. Many people could be protected from the flu if more people got vaccinated. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-benefits.htm

Taking small steps to protect ourselves daily and getting a flu shot is another way to stay healthy. To find a flu vaccination location near you, visit www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.