Many are unaware that flu vaccinations are free under Medicare. By far, the single most important preventive measure is for individuals, especially older persons and those who are at high risk for serious complications, to get vaccinated against the flu, said Takamura, who heads the Administration on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you or your older loved one did not receive your flu shot in the fall, please talk to your health care provider as soon as possible to make arrangements that will prevent you from coming down with the flu during these cold winter months. And remember, Medicare will cover the cost of your flu vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control, flu outbreaks typically occur during the winter months from late December through March, leading to an increased incidence respiratory illness and in some cases, death.
Flu season can vary considerably from year to year.
Although the best time to get a flu or pneumococcal vaccine is usually in the fall, individuals can still benefit from influenza vaccinations, even after flu cases are noted in their communities. The flu vaccine takes about a week or two to become fully effective, but has been proven to prevent illness, hospitalization and death among older persons. The Administration on Aging has long been a partner with the Centers for Disease Control and the Health Care Financing Administration in efforts to encourage all older persons to get their annual flu shot. As head of a national network of State and area agencies on aging, tribal organizations and providers who work on the front lines with millions of older persons every day, AoA has strongly encouraged all of its partners as well as individuals, families and caregivers of older persons to ensure that older persons in particular get their flu shot annually.