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Vaccination Options for Seniors This Flu Season
By Lauran Neergaard
There
are actually several different types of flu shots available to seniors
this year, along with a new FDA-approved shot for pneumonia. Here
are your options.
Flu Shots
Just as they do every year, the CDC strongly recommends a seasonal flu shot to
almost everyone, but it’s especially important for seniors who are more
vulnerable. The flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and
kills around 24,000 – 90 percent of whom are seniors.
This year, all seniors 65 and older have two flu vaccine options from which to
choose. A traditional flu shot, or a shot of Fluzone High-Dose. The high-dose
vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that
prompts the body to make antibody) as a regular flu shot does, which creates
a stronger immune response for better protection.
And if you’re under age 65, your two options are a regular flu shot, or
a shot of Fluzone Intradermal. The intradermal vaccine uses a shorter, thinner
needle to inject the vaccine just under the skin, rather than deeper in the muscle
like standard flu shots. If you’re squeamish about needles, this is a nice
option.
You also need to be aware that if you’re allergic to chicken eggs or if
you have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past you should not get
vaccinated without consulting your doctor first.
To locate a vaccination site that offers regular, high-dose and intradermal flu
shots, ask your doctor or pharmacist, or check the online flu-shot locator at
flu.gov. Most chains like CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, Kmart, Walmart, Rite Aid and
Kroger offer all types of shots.
You’ll also be happy to know that if you’re a Medicare beneficiary,
Part B will cover 100 percent of the costs of any flu shot. But if you’re
not covered, you can expect to pay around $25 to $35 for a regular or intradermal
flu shot, or $50 to $60 for a shot of the high-dose.
Pneumonia Vaccine
The other important vaccination the CDC recommends to seniors – especially
this time of year – is the pneumococcal vaccine for pneumonia and meningitis.
Pneumococcal diseases hospitalize around 300,000 U.S. seniors each year, and
kills around 5,000.
The CDC currently recommends all seniors 65 or older get a one-time only shot
of the vaccine Pneumovax, as well as those under 65 who smoke or have chronic
health conditions like asthma, lung and heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened
immune system.
Pneumovax, which protects against 23 strains of the pneumococcal disease, is
also covered 100 percent under Medicare Part B, and you can get it on the same
day you get your flu shot. If you’re not covered by insurance, this vaccine
costs around $45 to $85 at retail clinics.
You also need to know that this year, there’s an alternative pneumococcal
vaccine available to people age 50 and older called Prevnar 13. This vaccine,
which has been available to children for several years, may provide seniors longer
lasting and better protection against pneumonia than Pneumovax.
Talk to your doctor to determine which pneumonia vaccine is best for you.
Prevnar 13 is also covered by most insurers including Medicare Part B, but if
you aren’t covered the shot runs between $100 and $150.
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