WHAT DO ADULTS 65 AND OLDER

NEED TO KNOWTHIS FLU SEASON?

The flu is a common, contagious illness that can be severe and life-threatening, especially for adults 65 years of age and older.1 Flu + You, a national public education initiative from the National Council on Aging with support from Sanofi Pasteur, educates older adults and those who care for them about the seriousness of the flu, the importance of prevention, and available vaccine options. Here’s everything you need to know:

As many as 200,000+ people in the U.S. are hospitalized

each year from flu-related illness. Adults aged 65 and

older typically account for more than half (60%)of these hospitalizations...

THE FLU AND PNEUMONIA ARE THE 5TH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH INADULTS 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER IN THE UNITED STATES.2

THE FLU CAN BE DANGEROUS IN ADULTS 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDERAS IT CAN MAKE OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS WORSE.

According to the CDC, people with the following medical conditions are at higher risk for flu-related complications:5

Diabetes

Cancer

Kidney and Liver Disorders

Blood Disorders

Heart Disease

Lung Disease, Including COPD and Cystic Fibrosis

Disorders of the Brain Such as Seizures

Asthma

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the single best way to

prevent the flu is an annual vaccination, which is recommended for everyone aged 6 months+.6, 7, 8

THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH GOAL (HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020) IS FOR 90%OF ADULTS AGE 65+ TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST INFLUENZA,9

BUT ONLY AN ESTIMATED 65% WERE VACCINATED DURING THE 2011-2012 FLU SEASON.10

VACCINATION IS THE BEST WAY TO HELP PROTECTYOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM THE FLU.

Contrary to popular opinion:12

The flu shot cannot cause the flu.

Serious allergic reactions to the vaccine are not common.

The flu vaccine is needed annually.

ADULTS 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER HAVE VACCINE OPTIONS.

In addition to the traditional dose flu vaccine (which helps protect against three strains of the flu virus), there is also a quadrivalent vaccine (which helps protect against four strains), and a higher dose vaccine.

These options are widely available at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy.

The higher dose vaccine triggers the body to produce more antibodies against the flu virus13 resulting in a stronger immune response.14

Sources1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza: Flu Basics. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm. Accessed May 2, 2013.2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service. Immunizations. http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prevention/Immunizations/index.html?redirect=/immunizations/. Accessed May 8, 2013. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Study Shows Flu Vaccination Prevents Hospitalizations in Older Adults. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/flu-vaccination-older-adults.htm. Accessed May 2, 2013. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza: Basics. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm. Accessed May 8, 2013. 5. Steven Machlin, MS, Joel W Cohen, PhD, Karen Beauregard, MHA. MEPS Statistical Brief #203. Health Care Expenses for Adults with Chronic Conditions. 2005. 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CDC Says “Take 3” Actions To Fight The Flu. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm. Accessed May 2, 2013. 7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/2013-interim-recommendations.htm. Accessed May 2, 2013. 8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed May 2, 2013. 9. HealthyPeople.gov. Immunization and Infectious Diseases. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/objectiveslist.aspx?topicId=23. Accessed May 3, 2013. 10. American Lung Association. Missed Opportunities: Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccination in Older Adults. http://www.lung.org/assets/documents/publications/lung-disease-data/adult-vaccination-disparities.pdf. Accessed June 4, 2013. 11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Promoting Influenza Vaccination: Communication-related Findings from the 2011-12 National Flu Survey. http://www.preventinfluenza.org/nivs_2012/NIVS-4_nowak_findings.pdf.Accessed June 4, 2013. 12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Misconceptions about Seasonal Influenza and Influenza Vaccines. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm. Accessed May 8, 2013. 13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluzone High-DoseSeasonal Influenza Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm. Accessed May 2, 2012. 14. CDC. How Vaccines Prevent Disease. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/howvpd.htm. Accessed May 29, 2012.

THERE IS A VACCINE THAT ISDESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR ADULTS65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.

SPEAK WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ABOUT YOUR RISK OF CATCHING THE FLU AND WHAT YOU

CAN DO TO PREVENT IT, INCLUDING THE BEST VACCINE OPTION TO MEET YOUR NEEDS.

VISIT WWW.NCOA.ORG/FLU TO LEARN MORE.

Whichever option is selected, the good news is that an annual flu shot is a Medicare Part B benefit—this means that the vaccine is covered with no copay for Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older.

... and almost all (90%) of flu-related deaths.3

The higher dose vaccine triggers the body to produce more antibodies against the flu virus13The higher dose vaccine triggers the body to produce more antibodies against the flu virus13

86% OF ADULTS AGED 65+ HAVEAT LEAST 1 CHRONIC CONDITION(SUCH AS DIABETES OR CANCER)

AND

66% OF MEDICARE BENEFICIARIESHAVE TWO OR MORE CHRONICCONDITIONS

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