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ATTENTION Florida Residents Over 65: Don?t Fall Victim to Influenza This Year (Health Dept., October 3 2012)
[Source: Florida Department of Health, full page: (LINK). Edited.]
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ATTENTION Florida Residents Over 65: Don?t Fall Victim to Influenza This Year
<ABBR>October 3, 2012</ABBR>
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<ABBR></ABBR>Older adults are an important part of the Florida community, and making sure they stay healthy this and every flu season is a top priority for the Florida Department of Health. Influenza is a serious and potentially life threatening disease that can cause severe complications, and the best way to help protect against it is through annual vaccination.
No matter how healthy or youthful we feel, as we age, our immune system weakens, leaving people 65 and older more vulnerable to influenza. In fact, each year in the United States, about nine out of 10 flu-related deaths and roughly six out of 10 flu-related hospital stays occur in people over the age of 65, making influenza vaccination for this population especially crucial.
That is why the Florida Department of Health has joined the National Council on Aging?s Flu + You campaign to help educate adults 65 and older about the seriousness of the flu and the importance of vaccination.
The good news is adults over the age of 65 have two vaccine options available to help protect against influenza ? the traditional flu shot, as well as a higher dose flu shot designed specifically for this age group to address the age-related decline of the immune system. The higher dose flu shot prompts the body?s immune system to produce more antibodies against the flu virus. Antibodies are the soldiers of the immune system that help protect against infection when exposed to the virus.
Talk to your health care provider about the dangers of the flu, the benefits of vaccination and the best influenza vaccination option to meet the needs of your age group, and visit www.NCOA.org/Flu for more information.
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-<ABBR>October 3, 2012</ABBR>
<ABBR></ABBR>
<ABBR></ABBR>
<ABBR></ABBR>
<ABBR></ABBR>Older adults are an important part of the Florida community, and making sure they stay healthy this and every flu season is a top priority for the Florida Department of Health. Influenza is a serious and potentially life threatening disease that can cause severe complications, and the best way to help protect against it is through annual vaccination.
No matter how healthy or youthful we feel, as we age, our immune system weakens, leaving people 65 and older more vulnerable to influenza. In fact, each year in the United States, about nine out of 10 flu-related deaths and roughly six out of 10 flu-related hospital stays occur in people over the age of 65, making influenza vaccination for this population especially crucial.
That is why the Florida Department of Health has joined the National Council on Aging?s Flu + You campaign to help educate adults 65 and older about the seriousness of the flu and the importance of vaccination.
The good news is adults over the age of 65 have two vaccine options available to help protect against influenza ? the traditional flu shot, as well as a higher dose flu shot designed specifically for this age group to address the age-related decline of the immune system. The higher dose flu shot prompts the body?s immune system to produce more antibodies against the flu virus. Antibodies are the soldiers of the immune system that help protect against infection when exposed to the virus.
Talk to your health care provider about the dangers of the flu, the benefits of vaccination and the best influenza vaccination option to meet the needs of your age group, and visit www.NCOA.org/Flu for more information.
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