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I
Flu shots
a lifesaver
Immunizations, or "flu shots,” are not just for children. Adults, particularly persons age 66 and older, also need to be immunized to be protected against serious infectious diseases, the Virginia Department of Aging said.
The national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report 60,000 deaths each year which are attributed to flu and pneumonia. Most of these deaths occur in people age 65 or older. The Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Public Health Service recommend that healthy older persons receive the flu vaccines to protect themselves against needless risks.
Influenza, usually referred to as the “flu,” is a highly contagious disease that causes a variety of symptoms: fever, aches and pains, sore throat, runny nose and chills. When older persons get the flu, they are more likely to develop dangerous complications such as pneumonia, dehydration or weight loss.
Pneumococcal disease is another flu-like illness which can result in dangerous infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the blood or the covering of the brain (meningitis). Older persons are twice as likely to suffer from pneumococcal disease.
The CDC reports that 73 percent of the older persons in a recent study indicated that they were aware of the availability of flu vaccines but were fearful of side affects. The CDC assures older persons that these fears are largely unfounded and that today’s vaccines are much safer than the vaccines available a generation or two ago.
The Virginia Department for the Aging encourages older Virginians to talk with their family physician about the flu vaccines. Older persons may receive flu shots from their family physician or their local health department. • -
Older persons who wish to receive the flu vaccine from their local health department should call the health department to learn when the shots will be available and how much they will cost. Most health departments provide flu shots for a reduced fee. Information about flu shots is available from the Rappahannock County Health Department (675-3516).
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