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Show Senior Health Connection news 1 e t t e r Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital Center September 2011 Do you Know About the New High - Dose Flu Vaccine? The following information was taken from: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, Fluzone High-Doze Brochure, and FDA.gov. As people grow older their immune systems usually become weaker which is why people 65 and older are at the highest risk for seasonal influenza complications. These complications often result in hospitalizations and death. Seniors 65 and over represent 90% of influenza deaths. Medical experts agree that vaccination is the best way to help protect against influenza. However, recent studies show that people 65 and older may not respond as well to standard dose influenza vaccines as do younger people. This is because older people do not produce as high an antibody response following the vaccination as do younger people (antibodies are substances in the blood that protect against infection). People with low antibody levels may be at higher risk of catching the flu. In 2009 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Flu- zone High-Dose Vaccine an inactivated influenza virus for people 65 and over. The Fluzone High-Dose was approved via the accelerated approval pathway. This is the first influenza vaccine that uses a higher dose to induce a stronger immune response that is intended to better protect the elderly against the seasonal flu. As with all flu vaccines, Fluzone High-Dose is not recommended for people with severe allergy to chicken eggs, or people who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past. O It is important to get a flu vaccine to protect not only you from the influenza but to help prevent spreading it to your spouse, children, or grandchildren. CDC recommends getting the vaccine as soon as it is available in you community because it takes about two weeks to build up immunity. The immunity will last throughout the entire flu season. If you have Medicare Part B, health insurance, there is no cost to you for the flu shot. The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and be cause the influenza viruses in the flu shot are inactive, you can't get influenza from the vaccine. Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is given by an injection in the arm. You may have soreness, mild pain, swelling, arm stiffness at the site of injection, fever, headache, fatigue, and muscular pain. Side effects may vary and usually disappear in a few days. If they do not, please call your doctor. You can stay healthy by practicing these healthy habits; 1. Avoid people who are sick with the flu 2. Stay home when you are sick. 3. Cover your coughs and sneezes 4. Wash your hand often 5. Don't touch your eyes or mouth 6. Get plenty of sleep, stay physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods. Seek medical help if you have these flu symptoms; fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people may also experience vomiting and diarrhea. People may also be infected with the flu that have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Talk to you doctor about the Fluzone High-Dose to help you decide if you would benefit. 115 |