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Two influenza vaccines available for seniors

Peninsula Home Care explains
September 2, 2019

The flu doesn’t discriminate. It comes on fast and furious, and affects everyone from infants to the elderly.

The best way to protect against the flu and its potentially serious complications is with a yearly seasonal flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated by the end of October, but if flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue throughout the flu season and even into January.

“Influenza can be quite serious for the people we care for because of their age,” said Beverly White, Delaware branch director, Peninsula Home Care. “Our team is working proactively to educate our patients and caregivers about the need to stay informed about changing vaccines that are updated each season to keep up with the changing viruses. We also know immunity wanes over a year’s time, so annual vaccinations are needed to ensure the best possible protection against influenza.”

Immunity from vaccination sets in after approximately two weeks. People age 65 and older should get a flu shot and not a nasal spray vaccine. There are regular flu shots approved for people 65 and older, and there are two vaccines designed specifically for that age group.

A high-dose vaccine called Fluzone is recommended for those 65 and older. It has four times as much active ingredient as a regular flu shot, which means it can do a better job of getting an older immune system up and running.

Fluad is a standard-dose, three-component inactivated flu vaccine that contains an adjuvant. An adjuvant is an ingredient added to a vaccine that helps create a stronger immune response to vaccination. It is manufactured using an egg-based process, like most flu vaccines.

The high-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines may result in more mild side effects compared to the standard-dose seasonal shots. Mild side effects can include pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache and muscle ache.

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