Flu Vaccine for Seniors in Naples, FL: What to Know
Naples, FL, is known for its sunny, mild winters. You may be tempted to forget about cold and flu season. However, Florida had almost 20,000 cases of the flu last year.
No one wants to become part of this statistic. Flu prevention for aging adults is especially critical.
The flu vaccine for seniors is key to preventing the flu. Keep reading for senior health tips that will help you avoid getting sick this flu season.
Facts About the Flu
Flu is the common name for seasonal influenza, an illness caused by a respiratory virus. It affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Fatigue
The flu spreads easily from person to person. You can catch the flu from someone before they start to feel sick or develop symptoms. This is one reason a yearly vaccine is so important.
Who Should Get Seasonal Immunizations?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends seasonal immunizations against the flu for everyone aged 6 months and older. You need a yearly shot because the virus is always changing. Researchers develop a new vaccine formula each year to try to counter the virus strains most likely to be circulating.
Vaccination Schedule
The ideal time frame for getting the flu vaccine is September or October. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated before the end of October. Your immune system needs around two weeks after getting the vaccine to build up its immunity.
If you miss this window, getting the vaccine later in the season can still protect you.
Medicare and most private insurance plans cover the flu shot. Check with your insurance provider to find an in-network provider. You can get the flu vaccine in your doctor's office, a pharmacy, or the local health department.
Importance of the Flu Vaccine for Seniors
The flu vaccine is critical for older adults. People age 65 and older have a higher risk of developing serious complications, like a sinus infection, ear infection, or pneumonia.
Seniors are more at risk of the flu because of two main factors. First, the body's immune system doesn't work as well as we age. While your immune system is trying to combat the flu, it's less able to fight off a secondary infection like pneumonia.
Second, seniors are more likely to have medical conditions that increase the risk of complications from the flu. These conditions include:
- Chronic lung disease, like COPD
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Weakened immune system
Getting the flu can worsen these conditions if you have them.
Get the Right Flu Vaccine for Seniors
The CDC recommends specific flu vaccines for seniors that can be more effective than the standard formulas. The two types are:
- Higher dose flu vaccine
- Adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine
If these types of vaccines aren't available to you, you can get a standard flu shot. Older adults shouldn't get the nasal spray vaccine, though, because clinical trials showed it was less effective for people over 50.
All flu vaccines in the U.S. are now trivalent, meaning they protect against three strains of the influenza virus.
Higher Dose Flu Vaccine
High-dose flu vaccines have more hemagglutinin, a flu virus antigen that boosts your immune response. Two types of high-dose flu vaccine are currently on the market:
- Inactivated
- Recombinant
Inactivated vaccines use the standard vaccine production process. Chicken eggs are used to grow the virus, which is then deactivated for use in the vaccine.
Recombinant vaccines are created synthetically. The production process doesn't use live viruses or eggs.
This can make production go more smoothly because it doesn't depend on the national egg supply. It avoids the risk of mutations that can occur with viruses grown in eggs. Any mutations can make the vaccine less effective.
Adjuvanted Flu Vaccine
Adjuvanted vaccines have an added ingredient that creates a stronger immune response. This ingredient is called an adjuvant. Aluminum-based adjuvants have been used in vaccines since the 1930s.
Researchers have developed newer adjuvants that target specific parts of the body's immune system. This helps make the immune response stronger and last longer. The adjuvant in the flu vaccine is called MF59, an emulsion of squalene oil and water.
Side Effects of the Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine can't give you the flu. The flu vaccine for seniors is made either with deactivated (dead) virus or non-infectious virus proteins.
Side effects do occur, though. The rate of reported side effects is higher for high-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines. Side effects are usually mild and include:
- Pain or redness at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
Side effects typically go away within a few days and are much less severe than the symptoms of the flu itself.
Flu Prevention for Aging Adults
Vaccination is the key to flu prevention. In addition to seasonal vaccinations, you can take several steps to prevent the flu. Recommended practices include:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home when you're sick
- Wear a mask if you're concerned that others might be sick
Following general tips for healthy living supports your immune system, which can help you avoid getting sick. You can boost your overall wellness with senior health tips like:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep
- Stop smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
If you do get sick, having a healthy foundation can limit the length and severity of your symptoms.
Maintain Your Health This Flu Season
The flu vaccine for seniors is essential for your overall wellness this fall and winter. Getting the stronger version of the vaccine provides better protection. Common-sense steps that promote healthy living for seniors can help you avoid illness and boost wellness all year.
The caring team at Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh is ready to support you on your wellness journey. Our Dimensions Health and Fitness program focuses on comprehensive wellness. You can develop the mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of your life at Aston Gardens.
We recently received a rare "deficiency-free" rating from the state of Florida, which demonstrates our commitment to the health and safety of our residents.
Schedule a tour of Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh today and see how our focus on your well-being can improve your quality of life.