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Elderly urged to get 'flu
shot
By
Sam Bartlett
Orange
Central Western Daily, 4 April 2003
 LAY IT SAFE: Dr David Howe administers Molong
resident Merv McMahon with a ‘flu vaccine. Doctors have urged the
elderly and the sick to receive their yearly vaccination. Photo:
JUDE KEOGH
WITH
the approach of the colder months doctors are urging the elderly and the
sick to have influenza vaccinations.
With
the threat of three new 'flu strains entering Australia from Asia and the
spread of the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the risks
of complications arising from virus infection are greater this year.
Orange
GP Dr David Howe said the elderly and those with chronic illnesses were
more susceptible to complications from the ‘flu.
"People
over the age of 65 are recommended to receive a ‘flu and pneumonia
injection every year. Also those with diabetes, asthma and heart
disease," Dr Howe said.
"The
risk of not having an injection is susceptibility to the ‘flu and the
stress the ‘flu illness causes on the body."
Anyone
over the age of 65 receives a free vaccination.
Dr
Howe said there were some slight side affects of the vaccine but the
benefits far outweighed those.
"The
reaction to the vaccine doesn't mean you have the ‘flu because you can
get some ‘flu- like symptoms. The vaccine is always changing, so if you
had side affects before it doesn't mean you will get them again."
He
said patients should discuss any concerns with their doctor.
A
survey commissioned by the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) in January,
found only 49 per cent of people planned to be vaccinated this year.
ISG
convenor Alan Hampson said people needed to realise being fit and healthy
did not protect them from the flu. "Influenza can be a deadly
disease, not just an inconvenience."
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© 2002 Global Action on Aging
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