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Flu vaccines save lives. The majority of people who get flu shots are elderly. Ironically, the flu shot is less effective with older patients because of their weakened immune response. That means that it is even more important for everyone else to get flu shots. If caregivers, neighbors and grandchildren all get vaccinated against influenza, this helps to create a herd immunity.
A great example of how herd immunity can benefit the health of a population is chicken pox. This disease was accepted as a fact of life for generations and people were a bit dubious at first when a vaccine was approved and promoted. Before widespread vaccination, the cost of chicken pox to the health care system was $160 Million. After less than a decade of widespread vaccination that cost has dropped to about $60 million. Hospital stays related to chicken pox dropped by 75%.
The progress related to the flu vaccine is more complicated because flu strains change from year to year. Many elderly patients will actually receive a new type of vaccine this fall that is essentially double the dose that is given to people who are under 65. This is to compensate for the reduced response in elderly patients.
For more information on home health care contact Oxford Healthcare.