We’ve all heard what we should do to reduce the chances of contracting COVID-19—avoid crowds, wear a mask, distance yourself from people and wash your hands frequently. Some of you may have even already had the first dose of the vaccine and just maybe—fingers crossed–we’re starting to get a glimpse of the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.
But there’s another dangerous virus out there that we’d all—especially those of us who are older—like to avoid. Unlike the coronavirus, this is a virus we’re all very familiar with—influenza–and there’s already a way to combat this yearly virus.
Retired adults account for nearly 85% of all flu-related deaths in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 410,000 and 740,000 people were hospitalized in the United States during the 2019-2020 flu “season” and they estimate that somewhere between 24,000 and 62,000 people died of the flu in that same time.
The CDC says that everyone over the age of 6 months should get a flu shot but for older people it’s especially important. Senior citizens and immunocompromised people are more likely to develop flu-related complications. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of getting a flu shot. A person contracting both the flu and COVID-19 could be in serious danger of developing serious respiratory complications. And remember—the COVID-19 vaccine does not work against the influenza virus.
To learn more you can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/flu and thanks to the “HelpAdvisor” website (www.helpadvisor.com) for compiling these important facts.
Flu shots are free with Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans and are conveniently available at clinics, hospitals, drug stores, chain stores and even some grocery stores. So put on your mask and a warm coat and go get your yearly flu shot today.
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