• Society
  • Foundation
    • (866) 928-1635
    • Contact
    • Donate
    • About
    • Locations
    Good Samaritan Society
    • Home
    • Services
      • Home Health Care
      • Rehab/skilled care
      • Senior living
    • Resources
      • Advocacy
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
      • Faith
      • Family caregivers
      • Finances
      • Health
      • Memory care
      • Relationships
      • Senior care & services
    • Our stories
    • Careers
  • Society
  • Foundation
  • Good Samaritan Society
    • Call
    • Toggle Nav Toggle Nav Toggle Nav Menu
    Good Samaritan Society
    • Home
      • Services
      • Home Health Care
      • Rehab/skilled care
      • Senior living
      • Resources
      • Advocacy
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
      • Faith
      • Family caregivers
      • Finances
      • Health
      • Memory care
      • Relationships
      • Senior care & services
      • Our stories
      • Careers
      • About
      • Newsroom
      • History
      • Spiritual well-being
      • Leadership
      • Volunteer
      • Project Outreach
      • Physicians
      • Annual report
      • Pharmacy services
      • Newsletter
    • Locations
    • (866) 928-1635
    • Contact
    • Donate
    • Advocacy
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Faith
    • Family caregivers
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Memory care
    • Relationships
    • Senior care & services
    Resources
    • Home
    • Resources
    • Seasonal influenza and seniors: Concerns during the pandemic

    Get email updates

    E-News

    Learn more about the Good Samaritan Society.

    Resources

    • Advocacy
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Faith
    • Family caregivers
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Memory care
    • Relationships
    • Senior care & services

    Popular Keywords

    • volunteering
    • support
    • senior housing
    • retirement
    • rehab therapy
    • prayer
    • nursing home
    • motivational
    • loneliness
    • home care
    • guideposts
    • family
    • employee
    • devotional
    • dementia
    • conversations
    • caregiver
    • Impact stories
    • COVID-19
    • Alzheimers

    Seasonal influenza and seniors: Concerns during the pandemic

    Join discussion Share
    • Category: Health
    • Keywords:
      • COVID-19
      • flu
      • influenza
    • Comments: 0
    • Posted: 10/13/2020
    Flu shots help protect seniors and their caregivers at the Good Samaritan Society. (Photo by Good Samaritan Society)
    Flu shots help protect seniors and their caregivers at the Good Samaritan Society. (Photo by Good Samaritan Society)

    It is an unfortunate reality that the flu season is coming while we’re already involved in a pandemic.

    The first thing to remember is that getting the flu vaccine remains a wise move for everyone. That is especially true for those 65 and over.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that between 2010 and 2019, 336,000 people died from the flu in the United States. Furthermore, the CDC estimates between 70% and 85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in people 65 and older. Between 50 percent and 70% of hospitalizations for flu are for people 65 and older.

    “There is a greater emphasis than ever on going out and getting your flu shot,” says Dr. Greg Johnson, Chief Medical Officer of the Good Samaritan Society. “The flu shot itself isn’t going to be protective against COVID, but in the absence of a cure or vaccine, you have to manage the things you can manage.”

    Influenza shares symptoms with the common cold. Both illnesses often include a cough, sore throat and a runny nose. The flu can be much more severe, however, particularly with those over 65.

    Influenza symptoms

    While the flu varies in severity, the CDC lists the following symptoms:

    • fever or feeling feverish/chills
    • cough
    • sore throat
    • runny or stuffy nose
    • muscle or body aches
    • headaches
    • fatigue (tiredness)
    • some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

    The good news is that the vaccine reduces the likelihood of getting the flu, but also, according to several studies, lessens the severity for those who get vaccinated but still get sick. It reduces the risk of flu-associated hospitalization for people of all ages and serves as an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.

    Seniors at greatest risk

    “Anytime we look to vaccinate a population for anything, we want to prioritize those at the greatest risk,” Dr. Johnson says. “People in the over 65 age group are higher risk for experiencing complications related to the flu. That would be the population I would want to target and tell them ‘You really should have this vaccination.’”

    The term “flu season” does not have a specific starting point but influenza levels typically rise in the fall in the United States and peak in January and February. Dr. Johnson recommends getting the flu shot by the end of October, though getting it later than that is much better than not getting vaccinated at all.

    While the flu and COVID are two different diseases, you can avoid the flu in the same way you avoid COVID. That is: Wash your hands before eating, avoid putting your hands near your face or in your mouth, and wear a mask over your nose and mouth when around others.

    “People are focused on COVID right now, but the flu can have serious complications,” Dr. Johnson says. “Just because our focus is on COVID, it doesn’t change anything about how threatening influenza can be.”

    If you are experiencing flu symptoms, please consult your physician

    Learn more about influenza
    • Share
    Mick Garry
    By Mick Garry
    Content Writer | Sanford Health
    • Contact
    • Other articles

    Related articles

    • COVID-19 vaccination clinic brings hope to Iowa residents
    • Half of residents have received first COVID-19 vaccine dose Half of residents have received first COVID-19 vaccine dose
    • Society staff and residents in Windom get COVID-19 vaccine

    Comments

    The help you need, when and where you need it.

    Finding care Find a location
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram

    CareersDonatePay bill

    Contact us

    National Campus
    4800 W 57th St
    Sioux Falls, SD 57108

    Phone
    (866) 928-1635

    Email
    Contact

    Good Samaritan Society ®

    National Campus
    4800 W 57th St
    Sioux Falls, SD 57108

    Phone
    (866) 928-1635

    • Privacy and Terms
    • Links
    • Physicians
    • Pharmacists
    • Citrix login
    • Referral partners
    • Employees
    • Pay bill

    The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society (the Society) and Owner comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, familial status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status or other protected statuses except as permitted by applicable law, in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, and in staff and employee assignments to individuals, whether carried out by the Society directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which the Society arranges to carry out its programs and activities. The designated person responsible for coordinating efforts to comply with Section 504 requirements is: Director of Affordable Housing, Property Management, 4800 W. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108; phone: (605) 362-3100. For telecommunications relay service dial 711. All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

    The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation), genetic information, age, marital or familial status, disability, veteran status, or other protected status. The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

    Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Requirements

    © 2021 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.

    Equal Housing Opportunity