It’s that time of year again when everybody should start thinking about protection from Influenza, better known as the flu.
That is why Blair Senior Services and the Blair County Respiratory Disease Society will be teaming up with the Pennsylvania State Health Department again this year to conduct a community flu shot campaign for older people in Blair County.
According to director of development for Blair Senior Services, Robin Beck, those most susceptible to the flu are individuals over the age of 65, those who suffer from a chronic disease and those women who are currently pregnant.
What some people might not know is to be properly protected, everyone must be re-vaccinated each year because the flu viruses change each year.
Inoculations are scheduled to be offered at the Tyrone Senior Center on October 16 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Security Blue, Freedom Blue and traditional Medicare Part B allow Blair Senior Services to bill them directly, so people who have any of those insurance coverages can receive their shot at no cost to them.
Individuals must bring their insurance cards, name of personal physician and the physician’s office telephone number to the Senior Center.
Individuals who do not have these specific insurance coverages, or have no insurance coverages, can receive the injection at the Senior Center for $20.
Beck said the best part about this year’s flu vaccine is that there is no serum shortages or production or delivery delays expected for this year.
She also said that once an individual gets the flu vaccine, it lasts for about eight months, which is well through the flu season.
“Researchers are predicting that it will be a rough flu season,” added Beck.
According to the Department of Health’s Center for Disease Control, the flu vaccine is the single most effective means of preventing a flu virus infection, and the complications that are associated with the flu.
Beck said statistics show 114,000 people in the United States are hospitalized and about 36,000 individuals over the age of 65 die each year from the flu, so that is why it is extremely important for individuals to get a flu vaccination.
Also, the flu is a highly infectious disease of the lungs that can lead to pneumonia. People who are 65 years of age or older, and those with health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are at a higher risk from serious complications from the flu.
While everyone benefits, it is critical for people at risk to be protected. Caregivers of those in high-risk groups should also be vaccinated.
Beck said that because of these alarming statistics Blair Senior Services has been offering public flu vaccinations since 1995. Each year, Blair Senior Services administers about 2,000 flu vaccinations.
There are some individuals who cannot take the flu vaccine. For example, some people who are allergic to eggs cannot take it because eggs are used in making the injectable vaccine. That is why it is important to check with the physician first.
Also, check with a physician about a new mist available for those who fear injections. However, the mist is not recommended for high-risk groups such as older adults and those with respiratory diseases.
