Why Seniors Shouldn’t Skip Their Flu Shot This Season

We’re heading into the height of flu season and doctors are urging everyone to get their flu shot — especially seniors. According to an article by AP News, cases were low last year because we were wearing face masks to protect against Covid-19, but the flu is expected to make a comeback this year. Australia already experienced a particularly nasty flu season.

Experts are encouraging everybody to get vaccinated against the flu, particularly seniors, who should get a special shot just for their age group. That’s because as people get older, their immune system doesn’t respond as strongly to standard flu vaccination. The special senior shots provide extra protection either by providing higher doses of the main anti-flu ingredient or by containing a special ingredient to help boost immune response. All flu vaccines in the U.S. — including those for people younger than 65 – are “quadrivalent,” meaning they guard against four different flu strains. 

If you have not gotten your flu shot yet, don’t delay. Because it takes a couple weeks to build maximum protection, it’s best to have it before we get into the holiday season when more people are gathering as groups and traveling to other regions of the country.

The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the lives of seniors by working to improve Social Security. It wants to see Congress pass the Social Security Expansion Act. This landmark piece of legislation will provide bigger monthly Social Security benefits, establish a more realistic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for seniors, and guarantee the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.