Early Flu Shots May Save Money, Not Lives
For older patients, saving money on on flu shots may not convert to saving money on medical bills
Convenience and saving money are two staples of the American lifestyle, so when both are available for an item that could save us from a week of sick leave, Americans are generally all over it. Flu Season is still weeks, if not months away, but retailers across the country such as CVS, Target, and Walgreens have been pushing flu shots since early August. But just how effective are those flu shots against the strains that are out and about in late fall/winter? Its not effective at all for people over the age of 65, according to Dr. Laura Haynes in a recent NPR interview. Dr. Haynes said that anyone over the age of 65 should resist the marketing ploys and wait until the leaves change in October to receive the flu shot. However she also warns against waiting too late, as does the CDC which states that deferring for a shot later in the season helps in immunity, but waiting too long also increases risk of contracting the seasonal virus.
How effective is the flu shot anyway? A recent study found that the shot gives those who receive get a 50-60% reduced rate of contracting the virus, when the vaccine is well matched to the strain that year. How deadly is the flu? The flu can be pretty deadly as well, racking up a range of 3,300 to 49,000 deaths a year within the past three decades. So whats the best advice for when to get your flu shot you ask? Consult with your primary physician to figure out the best possible time to receive it!
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