AARP Online Community: AARPCO - How to Protect Yourself Against the Flu This Season

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How to Protect Yourself Against the Flu This Season

With the arrival of the novel H1N1 (“swine flu”), many people are understandably confused about how to protect themselves against the flu this year. AARP is working with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) to encourage older Americans to protect themselves and those in their care by getting vaccinated.

Experts say that, this year, a seasonal flu vaccination for people 50 and over is as important as ever. Even before novel H1N1 became a threat, flu claimed an average of 36,000 lives and hospitalized more than 200,000 Americans every year. Health authorities have long recommended that people 50 and over get a seasonal flu vaccine each year.

Experts also recommend people 65 and older get a pneumococcal vaccination, which they can get at the same time as their seasonal flu vaccination. Pneumococcus is a bacteria that can cause a range of conditions, including pneumococcal pneumonia, blood infection, and meningitis. Young children and people over 65 are the hardest hit.

Both pneumococcal and seasonal flu vaccines are available now. Have you gotten yours?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older Americans are less likely to get sick from novel H1N1, perhaps due to exposure to a similar virus many years ago. However, they are more likely to suffer serious complications – and even death – from seasonal flu. Vaccination is the first line of defense, but good hygiene habits, like frequent hand washing and covering your mouth when you cough are also important. If you get sick, antiviral medications are also available to help treat the flu.

“We must not get distracted by H1N1 – we must remember our annual seasonal flu vaccination,” said Dr. Susan J. Rehm, Medical Director of NFID. “Pneumococcal vaccination is also important, and now is a great time to get both vaccines.”

Last year in Colorado, 47.45of adults age 50-64 and 77.9of adults 65+ got vaccinated for influenza.

72.5of Colorado adults 65+ have received the pneumococcal vaccine.

“Vaccination will help more Americans stay healthy this fall and winter, so that we can keep moving – at home and at work,” said Morie Smile, Senior State Director.

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are free for anyone in Medicare and are available now at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and health departments in our area. For more information, speak with your healthcare provider or visit www.aarp.org/flu or www.nfid.org. For up-to-date information on flu activity in Colorado,visit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm.