Available to seniors, it could give you the added protection you need this season.
Each year, thousands of people are hospitalized in North America due to complications from the flu. The worst cases don’t make it through. While the illness can affect you at any age, the vast majority of those hospitalized are senior citizens. Getting the flu shot early in the season is one way to protect yourself. But what else can you do?
If you’re 65 or over, you could qualify for getting what’s known as the high dose flu shot. This is recommended for use in adults over 65 years of age by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization in Canada and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States.
Related: Seniors and Sex: Is ‘Use It or Lose It’ a Real Thing?
The flu vaccine available in the high dose flu shot contains four times the antigens compared with the standard flu shot and is thought to give aging immune systems a better chance at fighting off the flu.
What’s expected this flu season? At present, Australia is facing a particularly harsh flu season. Since the southern hemisphere of the globe heads into winter before North America, our flu season tends to mimic theirs. Experts are now warning that whatever is happening down there could be a good indication of what were about to get here, this winter.
In the United States, Fluzone High-Dose is the shot licensed for use in senior citizens. Click here for more information, and talk to your doctor about your options.
