Every year, about 200,000 people go to the hospital because they have the flu. Epidemics of influenza are responsible for approximately 36,000 deaths in the Untied States, of which more than 90% occur among those age 65 and older.

The flu is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It is passed from person to person by coughing and sneezing. It attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu is different from a cold and usually comes on with no warning signs.

The symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or snuffy nose, headache and muscle ache, and extreme tiredness.

Most pople are over the flu in about one or two weeks. Some people might develop pneumonia.

Everyone is at risk of getting the flu. Some groups of people have a greater risk of getting sick from the flu virus.

Vaccines are one of public health's great triumphs. With the exception of safe water, no other health strategy has had such a tremendous effect on reducing disease and improving health. Maintaining high immunization rates protects the entire community and is an important public health matter.

Medicare will cover the flu shot once a flu season for all people with Medicare. In the Original Medicare Plan, beneficiaries pay nothing for their flu shots because deductibles and co-insurances do not apply.

When is the best time to get vaccinated?

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Who should get vaccinated?

1.) People at high risk for complications from the flu:

• People 65 years and older;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses;
• Adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma;
• Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]);
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy. (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.);
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• All children 6 to 23 months of age;
• People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders.)

2.) People 50 to 64 years of age. Because nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 50 – 64 years.

3.) People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 0 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older. Those who are considered high risk are:

• People aged 65 years and older, with and without chronic health conditions
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• People aged 2–64 years with chronic health conditions
• Children aged 6–23 months
• Pregnant women
• Health-care personnel who provide direct patient care
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age

Use of the nasal spray flu vaccine
It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy persons aged 5-49 years who are not pregnant.  This vaccine is not subject to prioritization and can be given to healthy 5-49 year olds at any time.

Who should not be vaccinated?

There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

How often is the flu shot covered for people with Medicare?

It is covered once a year in the fall or winter.

How often is the Pneumococcal shot covered for people with Medicare?

Most people only need this shot once in their lifetime.

How often is the Hepatitis B shots covered for people with Medicare?

Three shots are needed for complete protection. You should check with your doctor to see if you’re at medium to high risk for Hepatitis B.

Factors that might put you at medium to high risk for Hepatitis B if …

• Hemophilia
• End-Stage Renal Disease
• Any condition that lowers your resistance to infection

What is my cost for vaccination?

• Flu shot – nothing
• Pneumococcal shot – nothing
• Hepatitis B shot – 20% of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible