To help reach those at highest risk now, the CDC is asking companies with early vaccine shipments to lend them to needier nursing homes or high-risk clinics, which would repay the loan when their own shots arrive. Pneumococcus Vaccine Also Recommended This year the CDC additionally is recommending that people in these high-risk groups get vaccinations against pneumococcal disease at the time they get the flu vaccinations. They should not be discouraged by reports of vaccine delays and should get their vaccinations now. But they also should remember, it's better to get their shots late than not to get them at all. Medicare Part B reimburses influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.
Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs.
It is characterized by the abrupt onset of high fever, chills, a dry cough, headache, runny nose, sore throat and joint pain. Vaccines can reduce hospitalizations by about 70 percent and death by about 85 percent in the free-living elderly. Among elderly nursing home residents, flu vaccine can reduce the risk of hospitalization by 50 percent. Influenza annually results in an average of more than 20,000 deaths nationwide and 110,000 hospitalizations. Pneumococcal disease claims 12,000 lives each year.