Title pageInfluenza and Older Adults

COM 10927-2R

Overview of Today’s Presentation Important Flu Information Everyone Needs to Know Risks for Older Adults

– The flu is a contagious illness that can be severe and life-threatening, especially for older adults1

– Our immune system weakens with age2

– The flu can make existing health problems worse3

Recommendations from the CDC– Annual vaccination is the single best way to prevent the flu4

– The CDC recommends flu vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exception5

Vaccine Options– Older adults have flu vaccine options – including the regular flu shot and a higher-

dose vaccine developed specifically to address the age-related weakening of the immune system6

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza: Flu Basics. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What You Should Know and Do this Flu Season If You Are 65 Years and Older. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm. Accessed on March 26, 2015. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Who Should Get Vaccinated Against Influenza http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm. Accessed on March 26, 2015. 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015.

What is Influenza?

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a common respiratory illness1

Symptoms include: fever, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches1

The flu is a contagious illness that can be severe and life-threatening, especially for older adults2

– Influenza and pneumonia combined are the seventh leading cause of death in older adults in the United States3

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza Symptoms:. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm. Accessed July 20, 2015. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza: Flu Basics. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 3. Heron M. Deaths: Leading Causes for 2010. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2013 Dec 20;62(6):1-96

How the Flu Spreads

The flu can be easily passed from person to person1

– It can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, or contact with an infected person or surface1

– The flu virus can spread to others up to 6 feet away1

– The flu virus can generally survive on surfaces between 2 and 8 hours2

Influenza can be spread 1 day before and as many as 7 days (or longer) after symptoms begin1

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How Flu Spreads. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm. Accessed July 20, 2015. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing Seasonal Flu Illness. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/preventing.htm. Accessed August 3, 2015.

Flu vaccination season in the U.S. typically runs from August through May, however typically peaks in the January to March timeframe

Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

FLU SEASON

Flu Can Be Dangerous in Older Adults As we age, the immune system weakens, even if we feel

healthy and are active1

– It is harder for the body to fight disease2

– Less antibody is produced in response to vaccination as compared to younger people2

As a result, adults 65 years of age and older are more likely to catch the flu and experience complications1

In fact, adults in this age group account for, on average:1

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What You Should Know and Do this Flu Season If You Are 65 Years and Older. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm. Accessed on March 26, 2015. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015.

Between 50-60% of annual flu-related

hospitalizations

90% of annual flu-related deaths

The flu can also make existing health problems worse and is especially dangerous for people with chronic health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, which often affect older adults1

People with these conditions are more likely to develop complications from the flu that can result in hospitalization and even death1

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 2. CDC. Percent of U.S. Adults 55 and Over with Chronic Conditions. Percent of U.S. Adults 55 and Over with Chronic Conditions. www.cdc.gov/nchs/health_policy/adult_chronic_conditions.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 3. Lochner KA, Cox CS. Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions among Medicare Beneficiaries, United States, 2010. Prev Chronic Dis. 2013;10:120137.

Flu Can Make Existing Health Problems Worse

Diabetes

Heart Disease

86% of adults 65+ have at least one chronic health condition2

68% of Medicare beneficiaries have two or more chronic health conditions3

Why We Need Annual Flu Vaccination

According to the CDC, annual influenza vaccination is the single best way to help prevent the flu, with rare exception1

– It is estimated that during the 2013-2014 flu season, nearly 50,000 hospitalizations were averted due to vaccination in those 65 years of age and older2

A new vaccine is made each year to protect against the strains that are expected to cause disease3

For older adults, it’s important to get vaccinated early in the season to help protect against any circulating influenza viruses4

Older adults have flu vaccine options – including the regular flu shot and a higher-dose vaccine developed specifically to address the age-related weakening of the immune system5

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed May 19, 2014. 2. CDC. Estimated Influenza Illnesses and Hospitalizations Averted by Influenza Vaccination – United States, 2013-14 Influenza Season. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6349a2.htm. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Selecting the Viruses in the Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/virusqa.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed June 12, 2014. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015.

Covered by Medicare Flu vaccination is a Medicare

benefit with no copay Both options are widely available

at a doctor’s office or local pharmacy

Take advantage of this Medicare benefit to help keep you healthy this season!

Insights from Americans 65+ on Flu & Prevention1

References:1. Kelton Global. National Council on Aging Survey in Collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur. 2. CDC. Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView. Published April 24, 2015. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm. Accessed April 28, 2015

Flu Hits Older Adults the Hardest, Yet Many Underestimate the Seriousness of the Flu

•82% are not extremely confident in their knowledge of the age-related decline of the immune system as it relates to the flu •Only 13% of seniors are extremely confident in their knowledge of flu complications

This Is Especially True for Adults with Chronic Conditions, Yet Many Seniors Are Unaware of the Link Between the Flu and Chronic Conditions

•About one third of people 65 years of age and older are unaware that someone with chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes would be at risk for complications from the flu

Many Older Adults Get Vaccinated Against the Flu Every Year and Follow Their Health Care Professionals’ Recommendations

•71% of older adults reported getting an annual flu shot to help maintain their health•62% got a flu shot in the past because their physician recommended it•41% selected the type of flu shot recommended by their physician

However, Many Seniors Are Unaware of Their Flu Vaccine Options

•65% think most flu shots are appropriate for all age groups•57% are unaware that there is a flu shot specifically for their age group

Further Education and Resources Are Needed When It Comes to the Flu

•Only 8% of survey respondents are concerned about getting the flu despite seniors’ high hospitalization rates, highlighting the need for further education about the seriousness of the flu 2

Where Can I Learn More?

Visit www.ncoa.org/Fluand

Talk to your health care provider about flu prevention and your

vaccine options!

Questions?