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Poll Finds Just 74 Percent of Senior Citizens Planning on Flu Shots This Year
Senior Journal
October 2, 2008
CVS, MinuteClinic, Walgreens, Walmart, Maxim begin flu shots this week
Senior citizens are the most likely to get a flu shot with 74 percent of those age 65 and older planning to be vaccinated, compared to 58 percent of those age 55-64 and 43% of adults younger than 55, according to a CVS/pharmacy survey.
As flu season approaches and authorities report vaccines are in ample supply, the new survey finds that only half of adults (50%) plan to get a flu shot this year.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends vaccinations as soon as they are available, yet the survey also revealed that of those who normally get a flu shot, fewer than half (45 percent) get vaccinated when flu shots are available, while the remainder (55 percent) wait until a normally scheduled visit to the doctor or health care provider, or until flu season begins and they fear they will be exposed to other people who get sick.
Each year as many as 60 million Americans fall victim to influenza and flu-related complications, such as pneumonia, resulting in 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths per year. The CDC has determined that vaccinations are the single most effective way to prevent flu and strongly encourages high-risk individuals to get vaccinated.
CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are offering flu shots beginning this week. CVS/pharmacy will host approximately 7,500 flu shot clinic events and MinuteClinic will provide flu vaccines every day on demand to people without an appointment at more than 500 locations across the country.
Both companies are divisions of CVS Caremark (NYSE:CVS), which claims to be the largest provider of prescriptions in the country.
Maxim Health Systems announced today the launch of its annual influenza vaccination program. Maxim flu shots are available at more than 37,000 clinics nationwide. Finding the nearest location is as simple as typing in your zip code on http://www.FindaFluShot.com. This will provide the address, date, and times for flu shots at local clinics. The Web site also provides the latest news on influenza and links to other resources. For those who prefer to find a convenient location over the phone, Maxim provides a toll free number at 877-962-9358.
Walgreens has also begun to provide flu shots but the dates of availability vary by store.
Walmart, too, is open for flu vaccinations but it, too, varies by store.
"It's best to get vaccinated before the peak flu season begins," said Papatya Tankut, R.Ph., Vice President of Pharmacy Professional Services at CVS/pharmacy. "With so many convenient locations for flu shots, there's no reason to wait."
This year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has endorsed influenza vaccination for all children ages 6 months to 18 years. However, the survey revealed that just over half of adults who have children under 18 in their household plan to have them get a flu shot (53 percent). Parents with children under 12 are more likely to plan to get them vaccinated than parents with children 12 and older (60 percent vs. 39 percent). MinuteClinic will offer vaccinations to children over 18 months.
"In addition to children and people over the age of 50, others who are at risk for the flu should be vaccinated as early as possible," said Donna Haugland, Chief Nursing Officer for MinuteClinic. "The CDC recommends annual flu shots for those with chronic disease such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease, along with women who are pregnant and health care providers."
Flu shots will be offered at all MinuteClinic locations every day on demand with no appointment necessary.
MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by masters-prepared, board-certified nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care.
To find the nearest location of a MinuteClinic or CVS/pharmacy flu shot clinic, or to determine the minimum age for flu shots at CVS/pharmacy store events, consumers can call 1-888-FLU-SHOT or go to www.cvs.com. Flu shots at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations are $30 and may be covered by insurance.
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