Flu Vaccine for Seniors: Why It Matters in Kendallville, IN
Kendallville, IN is a welcoming community with a small-town atmosphere. We socialize with our neighbors at downtown boutiques, Bixler Lake Park, and events like the Apple Festival and Christmas parade. You don't want to miss any of the fun this fall and winter because you got sick.
The flu vaccine for seniors is essential for maintaining your quality of life year round. Learn more about why the flu vaccine is so important for aging health support.
Symptoms of the Flu
Seasonal influenza, commonly called the flu, is a viral respiratory illness. It affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Cough
Many of these symptoms overlap with the common cold and COVID-19. Home tests are available that identify the flu and COVID-19. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to do based on the results.
Why Is the Flu Vaccine for Seniors so Important?
Some people who get the flu feel better in a few days. However, seniors are more likely to become seriously ill and develop complications from the flu. Complications can include:
- Sinus infection
- Ear infection
- Pneumonia
Older adults are at greater risk from the flu for two main reasons. First, the body's immune system weakens as we age. While your immune system is busy fighting the flu, a secondary infection like pneumonia can set in.
Second, seniors are more likely to have other health conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, that increase the risk of complications from the flu.
The flu vaccine is essential for people 65 years and older. It helps protect you against getting the flu. If you do get sick, you're less likely to become seriously ill.
The flu virus is constantly changing. This is why you need a flu shot every year.
High-Dose Flu Vaccines for Seniors
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends higher dose flu vaccines for people age 65 and older. They're more effective than the standard flu vaccine, according to a study published in the journal Vaccine.
Flu vaccines protect against the three flu virus strains that researchers decided were most likely to be circulating that year. A close match between the strains in the vaccine and the viruses actually circulating means you get better protection.
Three types of high-dose vaccines are currently available:
- High-dose inactivated
- Recombinant
- Adjuvanted inactivated
The main difference is how they're produced.
High-Dose Inactivated Flu Vaccine
The high-dose inactivated flu vaccine contains four times more of the ingredient that boosts the immune system. This ingredient is a flu antigen called hemagglutinin.
The high-dose vaccine is produced using the standard egg-based method. The laboratory gets vaccine virus that was grown in chicken eggs. The virus is injected into fertilized chicken eggs to replicate.
After several days, the fluid with the virus is removed from the egg. The virus is then inactivated and the antigen is purified.
Recombinant Flu Vaccine
The recombinant flu vaccine contains three times more flu antigen than the standard vaccine. Recombinant vaccines are created synthetically. They don't use chicken eggs or the vaccine virus.
Recombinant vaccines don't rely on the egg supply, which can be an advantage during production. They aren't limited by the number of viruses adapted to grow in eggs.
Adjuvanted Flu Vaccine
The adjuvanted flu vaccine has the same amount of antigen as the standard vaccine. It boosts the immune response with an ingredient called an adjuvant.
Adjuvants have been used in vaccines since the 1930s to strengthen the body's immune response. The first adjuvants were aluminum-based. Newer adjuvants have been developed to target specific parts of the immune response, which makes the vaccine work more effectively.
Which Vaccine to Choose?
The CDC recommends any of the three higher-dose flu vaccines for older adults. You can ask your healthcare provider if one may be better for your individual situation.
If one of these three vaccines isn't available, the standard flu vaccine is better than nothing. Avoid the nasal spray vaccine, though, because it isn't recommended for older adults.
Finding Vaccines for Older Adults
The flu vaccine for seniors is usually available in late summer or early fall. For the best protection from influenza, people should get vaccinated by the end of October. Your immune system needs around two weeks after you get the shot to build up immunity.
If you miss the early fall window, you should still get vaccinated. The vaccine provides protection as long as the flu season lasts.
You can get vaccinated in your doctor's office or at many local pharmacies. Vaccination is also available at the Noble County Health Department.
Medicare and most private insurance plans cover the flu shot. Check with your insurance provider to find an in-network vaccination provider and learn about any out-of-pocket costs you may have.
Flu Prevention Tips
Senior immunizations in IN are key for preventing the flu. You can take other common-sense steps to lower your risk of getting sick during cold and flu season. Flu prevention tips include:
- Wash your hands well and often with soap and water
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home
Maintaining a balanced diet and exercising regularly promotes wellness and a healthy immune system.
If you do get sick, you can reduce the risk of spreading illness by staying home. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and then wash your hands.
Assisted Living Wellness in Kendallville
The flu vaccine for seniors is essential for your health and the well-being of your neighbors. Flu vaccines for older adults create a bigger immune response, which gives you more protection against getting sick.
Chandler Place Assisted Living in Kendallville is designed with your health and wellness in mind. Boost your nutrition with chef-prepared meals. Our community features an onsite wellness center, courtyards, and outdoor areas.
You'll enjoy having weekly housekeeping and laundry services to keep your apartment clean and healthy. Our caring and professional staff can provide help with other activities of daily living if needed, like managing medication, bathing, or dressing.
Schedule a tour of Chandler Place Assisted Living today to see how we can support you on your wellness journey.