Senior citizens are in a unique position this flu season: although particularly susceptible to seasonal influenza, adults age 60 and older may have some immunity from the new pandemic H1N1 flu.
Most hospitalizations and deaths from the seasonal flu occur in people over the age of 65 who have underlying medical conditions, and H1N1 poses many of the same risks. If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away to determine if you should begin treatment with anti-viral medication.
Everyone age 50 and older should get a seasonal flu shot as soon as they’re available. (Nasal spray vaccine isn’t recommended for people over 50.) The flu shot protects you and those around you. It’s safe, and you can’t get influenza from the vaccine. If you haven't received your seasonal flu shot already, it’s not too late to get it in November or December, or even into spring.
For information on where and when to get your flu vaccination, see our flu-shot locator page here.
Because they may have some immunity from H1N1 flu, senior citizens are not in the priority groups for H1N1 flu vaccine. Instead, the priority groups include pregnant women and young people, because they have no immunity to this pandemic flu strain.
Once the priority groups have been vaccinated, all seniors should plan to get the H1N1 flu shot, especially those who have health conditions that may complicate their response to H1N1 flu. These complicating health conditions include cancers, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, asthma and compromised immunity.
Seek emergency care if you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- sudden dizziness
- confusion
- severe or persistent vomiting