Three Reasons Why Seniors Should Get a Flu Shot

About Kim Elliott

Chief Nursing Officer

When it comes to leading clinical programs, Kim is our go-to authority on resident care, while maintaining the highest standards for quality and compliance. As Chief Nursing Officer, her care philosophy is based on the importance of individualized care, personal choice and resident independence. Kim is dedicated to finding more options to help our residents live and age well. That’s why she has taken a population health approach to surrounding our residents with the healthcare services they need to help manage their chronic conditions. Kim’s passion for senior healthcare developed in nursing school during a routine rotation. When she saw a shortage of quality nurses working in senior living, Kim knew she had found her calling and a place where she could make a difference. Kim joined Brookdale in 2014. She serves on the Argentum Clinical Quality Executive Roundtable, is on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Central Florida University School of Nursing and is a member of the Nightingale Society. She was recently inducted into McKnight’s Women of Distinction Hall of Fame. Kim has a master’s degree in Nursing, with a specialty of executive leadership from Chamberlain College of Nursing.

The flu shot for seniors is an essential part of preventive care. As part of our commitment to building healthier communities, Brookdale partners with CVS Pharmacy to open flu clinics in every Brookdale community to offer flu shots for our residents, their families and our associates.

Instead of just responding to illnesses or conditions with post-acute care, we want to offer more proactive options to help our residents live well and age well.

Here are the top three reasons why seniors should get a flu shot:

1. You can avoid serious complications associated with the flu.

Our immune systems naturally tend to weaken over time. That’s why an annual flu shot is a must-have for seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people 65 and older account for more than 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations and between 70 and 90 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths.

Getting your flu vaccination is especially important if you are 65 years or older because you’re at a higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Flu vaccines are updated each season to keep up with changing viruses. To get the best protection, you need an annual vaccination.

According to a 2017 report by the CDC, about 30 percent of adults 65 years and older skipped their flu shot in 2016. But skipping your shot is taking an unnecessary risk with your health and those around you. That’s why we make it as easy for our residents and those who visit them, like friends and family, to get a flu shot at one of our community clinics.

And starting this year, in addition to the flu shot, our community clinics offer vaccinations for shingles, pneumonia and the Tdap booster to both residents and associates, which round out the four vaccines I recommend every senior consider.

2. Flu shots really are effective.

The flu vaccine is proven to reduce not only flu illnesses but also more serious flu outcomes that can result in hospitalization or even death in seniors. A 2017 study showed that flu vaccination reduced deaths, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, the length of stay in ICU and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized flu patients and people 65 years of age and older benefitted the most.

Maybe you’ve heard about different flu vaccination options? If so, you may be wondering which one is right for you. While you should talk with your healthcare provider about the best choice for you, here’s an overview of flu shot options for seniors.

First, people 65 years and older should get a flu shot and not the nasal spray vaccine. In addition to the regular flu shots that are approved for use in people 65 and older, there are two more flu vaccines specifically designed for people 65 and older that may improve your chances of avoiding the flu:

High dose flu vaccine

Family members often have questions about “high dose” vaccines for their mom or dad. They're concerned because they think the vaccine has a higher dose of the virus in it, which could be dangerous for seniors with weaker immune systems.

Actually, “high dose” really means the vaccine has four times the amount of antigen—the part of the vaccine that promotes antibody creation within the body—which helps the body’s immune system respond better to the vaccine.

Results from a clinical trial that included more than 30,000 people showed that the high dose flu vaccine is 24 percent more effective in preventing the flu in people age of 65 and older, relative to a standard-dose vaccine.

Adjuvanted flu vaccine

The adjuvanted flu vaccine (brand name Fluad) is made with MF59 adjuvant, an additive that creates a stronger immune response to the vaccination. In a Canadian study of people age 65 and older, researchers found that Fluad was 63 percent more effective than regular-dose flu shots without adjuvant. However, to date, there have been no studies to compare the effectiveness of Fluad with the high-dose flu vaccine (brand name Fluzone).

3. You can help keep your family safe and healthy.

Not only are you protecting yourself when you get the flu shot, but you’re also protecting friends and family, too, by preventing the spread of the virus. Flu season usually runs from November to March, so the best time to get vaccinated and give your body time to build up antibodies is by the end of October.

In addition to getting the flu shot, seniors should take the same preventive measures that the CDC recommends for everyone: cover your cough, wash your hands often and when possible, avoid people who are sick.

Think of the flu shot as an investment in your wellness and the wellness of those around you, especially seniors in your life. It’s preventive care that helps you stay healthier.

^{The above is shared for informational purposes only. We are not infectious disease experts and you should consult with trusted, independent, reputable sources before acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition or are at increased risk for contracting COVID-19. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or health advice. Never disregard professional medical or health advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site.}