Visiting Nurses of Aroostook raise flu vaccine awareness

    AROOSTOOK COUNTY — The only thing worse than being sick is being sick and knowing it might have been prevented. Regardless of one’s opinion on immunizations, the fact remains that vaccines have vastly reduced the toll of infectious diseases. The developed world’s success in extending individual life expectancies – from 47 years in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century to 78 years at the beginning of the 21st century – has allowed people to grow old enough – believe it or not – to need a second round of vaccines.     As flu season arrives, and everyone sits on edge wondering what new surprises this year’s strains have in store, Visiting Nurses of Aroostook is raising awareness in the local community about vaccinations for older adults and helping to dispel some common myths often associated with immunizations. It is important to note that older bodies’ natural defense systems tend to decrease and vaccines can ward off, or at least weaken the severity of a few diseases capable of inflicting extreme discomfort or worse among otherwise healthy seniors.
    In particular, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend three vaccines for older Americans: seasonal influenza, pneumonia and shingles. The pathogens that cause these diseases can be deadly when manifested in older people, and the vaccines are clearly beneficial.
    Authorities recommend annual vaccinations for everyone over 50 years old.  The CDC estimates that of the 36,000 Americans who die annually from infection by the seasonal flu virus, 90 percent are age 65 and older. In addition, most of the estimated 225,000 people hospitalized because of the seasonal flu are also over the age of 65. Some studies show the vaccine being as much as 70 to 90 percent effective for healthy seniors.
    In regards to the H1N1 flu, the CDCP advisory committee has noted that people age 65 and older are in fact NOT a high priority for the vaccine being developed to ward off the virus, however they are not dissuading this age group from receiving the vaccine. Evidence has shown that people age 65 or older are at less risk of catching the H1N1 flu, than are younger people.  However, those that do choose to receive the H1N1 vaccine should also plan to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.
    There are many common misconceptions about flu vaccinations, oftentimes deterring people from obtaining a vaccine that could protect them. Whether in a community housing environment or one’s own home, it remains equally important for those over age 50 to receive vaccinations to help prevent illness.
    It is not possible to get influenza from the flu shot. The vaccine is made from a killed virus which is not capable of causing the disease. If considering the nasal spray vaccine, understand that it is a live but weakened virus and is not recommended for adults over 50.
    Oftentimes people don’t get vaccinated because they don’t believe the flu shot works. It is true that the flu vaccine is not 100 percent effective in preventing flu and it is possible for some people to still get influenza after taking the flu shot. However, these people usually get a milder case of the flu than they otherwise would get. The risk of hospitalization and death from complications of influenza is also greatly reduced. People also oftentimes us the term “flu” when in fact they are suffering from a cold, respiratory infection, or similar condition.  The flu vaccine only protects against influenza, not any other illness.
    For more information, go to www.visitingnursesofaroostook.org and click on the Get Protection Before Flu Season Arrives banner on the home page or call 498-2578.