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News Release

STATEMENT BY HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Regarding Increased Rates in Flu Mortality

Today's news that influenza may be taking an even larger toll than we have realized is an important reminder of the vital need for getting an annual flu shot, especially for older Americans, who are among the most susceptible in the population.

Older Americans need to know that flu shots are free under Medicare. They need to know that the shots cannot give you the flu. And they need to get those shots, every year. In fact, it's not too late to get a flu shot this year.

The flu can be especially life threatening to the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends that individuals 65 and older receive a flu shot annually. The CDC also recommends that all people in nursing homes and people with chronic heart, lung, or kidney disease, diabetes, immunosuppression or severe forms of anemia also receive annual flu shots.

Each year, HHS and its agencies vigorously promote the importance of flu vaccination, and today the rate of seniors getting flu shots are at their highest levels ever. However, nearly one-third of senior citizens still do not get an annual flu vaccination, even though they're free under Medicare.

HHS remains committed to educating those at highest risk about the importance of getting a vaccination as well as making it as easy as possible to get a flu shot.

Most recently, HHS established a new "standing orders" policy that allows nursing homes, hospitals and home health agencies that serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to remind patients when it is time for an annual vaccination and ask if they want to receive a shot. This change eliminates the need for an individual to obtain a physician's order for a vaccination and makes it simpler and faster for health care providers to offer flu shots to their patients.

Our older population will continue to grow in the years to come. This new data must further strengthen our resolve to develop new strategies for reducing deaths from influenza among all Americans.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: January 6, 2003