despite influenza-associated health risks, some seniors never get around to getting vaccinated
“getting a flu shot every year is recommended for those aged 65 and above,” says geriatrician dr. samir sinha
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one way to help provide protection against influenza is to opt for a flu vaccine, like fluad. getty
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this story was created by content works, postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of a client.
as temperatures drop and cold-weather clothing is pulled out of storage, canadians once again face the start of cold and flu season. but dr. samir sinha believes influenza hasn’t been getting the attention it deserves. “according to a recent survey conducted by the national institute on ageing, influenza causes around 175,000 emergency department visits, 12,200 hospitalizations, and 3,500 deaths every year,” shares dr. sinha. “most of these are in our older population.
“older canadians often aren’t aware of how vulnerable they are to influenza, or how dangerous, and even deadly, it can be,” explains dr. sinha. “and it’s not just the risk of dying that we should be concerned about. it’s about staying healthy and independent.”
severe cases of influenza can lead to hospitalization for some, with one in every five older adults facing a rough road to recovery after a hospital stay, losing independent functioning in their daily lives.
“older canadians, in particular, could take additional steps to help protect themselves against influenza, given that they are at considerably higher risk than the rest of the population,” says dr. sinha. “getting a flu shot every year is recommended for those aged 65 and above, yet vaccination rates are lower than we’d like.”
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flu vaccines don’t offer 100 per cent protection or reduce the risk of hospitalization and complications, but they do help prevent influenza.
“unlike some other viruses, the flu is always on the move,” says dr. sinha. “constantly evolving, it makes it so that we need to develop a new vaccine every year to keep up. it’s like trying to hit a moving target.”
researchers try to predict what the dominant influenza virus strains will be before the flu season starts, but it’s tricky. “there are both a and b strains of influenza, but we never know exactly what will circulate each year,” explains dr. sinha. “we’re lucky in that we get a preview of which strains may appear when the virus breaks out in the southern hemisphere, but it still takes time to develop a new vaccine each season that contains the specific strains recommended by the world health organization (who) every year.”
the seasonal nature of influenza is also a factor. “as it gets colder outside, we tend to huddle and spend more time indoors,” explains dr. sinha. “because influenza is a respiratory virus, it can easily spread inside where air is being recirculated.” this is why the flu and similar viruses spread in crowded places or community settings such as long-term care homes — another risk factor for older canadians.
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in older adults, the immune system tends to weaken with age in a process known as immunosenescence. as a natural part of the aging process, this decline in immune function can contribute to an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and may also affect how well an older person’s immune system responds to vaccination.
older adults are at high risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalization. getty
one way to help provide protection against influenza is to opt for a vaccine like fluad®. not only does it help offer protection against the influenza a and b subtypes contained in the vaccine, but it also contains an adjuvant, which is an ingredient that may help the body generate a stronger immune response to the vaccine.
fluad does not protect everyone who gets vaccinated and will not treat the flu or its complications. fluad can cause side effects that include pain, redness, or warmth at the injection site. always talk to your healthcare provider to see if fluad is right for you to ensure you are fully informed of the potential risks versus benefits. for more information, please refer to the product monograph at www.cslseqirus.ca.
despite influenza-associated health risks, some seniors never get around to getting vaccinated. “convenience is one thing that most commonly stops people from getting vaccines,” shares dr. sinha.
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fortunately, accessibility has improved in recent years. for example, fluad has been part of the public flu vaccination programs in both ontario and british columbia. to further increase convenience, dr. sinha recommends getting multiple vaccinations in a single appointment. “to reduce the number of pharmacy trips, i tell my patients to get their influenza and other appropriate vaccines at the same time.”
the message is clear: annual influenza vaccination should be a priority for older canadians. “the flu is a big deal in canada, and older folks are at high risk,” says dr. sinha.
“i can’t emphasize enough how important it is to help protect our seniors against influenza.”
book your seasonal flu vaccine appointment today. depending on which province you live in, getting fluad could be free. ask your doctor or pharmacist if fluad is free in your province.
this story was created by content works, postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of fluad®.
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