*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 1994.10.21 : Flu Shots for Seniors Contact: Anne Verano (202) 690-6145 Friday, Oct. 21, 1994 SENIORS SHOULD GET FLU SHOTS TO AVOID GRAVE ILLNESS Thousands of serious illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths can be prevented if older Americans receive flu shots before the onset of the fall and winter flu season, HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala said today. "Severe illness is especially tragic when it could have been prevented by appropriate immunizations," said Secretary Shalala. She announced that Medicare's second year of paying for influenza vaccinations features an expanded program for reaching elderly citizens with information about the new benefit. According to statistics released today on the 1993 immunization rates, fewer than half of the nation's elderly used the new Medicare benefit in its first year. The data, based on Medicare claims, also show that black beneficiaries received flu shots at less than half the rate of white beneficiaries. "It is clear that special efforts must be undertaken to reach medically underserved areas and populations," said Bruce C. Vladeck, administrator of the federal Health Care Financing Administration. "Our goal is to reach every older American with information on the Medicare flu immunization benefit," Vladeck said. The statistics released today show 1993 flu immunization rates for Medicare beneficiaries in every state and every county. Information on the Medicare flu benefit is being distributed through the combined efforts of HHS agencies, including HCFA, the Public Health Service and the Administration on Aging, and over 60 consumer and provider organizations, including the American Lung Association and the American Association of Retired Persons. "We are committed to educating older persons about the life- saving importance of flu shots," said Assistant Secretary Fernando M. Torres-Gil. His Administration on Aging reaches a vast network of state and area agencies, tribal organizations and providers of services. The flu shots are free for beneficiaries who receive them from Medicare "participating physicians," who accept Medicare payment amounts as full payment for their services. Other doctors can charge more. "Older Americans concerned about out-of-pocket expenses should be able to find providers who will administer flu shots at no cost to beneficiaries," Vladeck said. Approximately two-thirds of the doctors who bill Medicare are participating physicians. Medicare also covers once-in-a-lifetime vaccinations against pneumococcal infections, including pneumonia. A beneficiary who has not previously received the pneumococcal vaccine can obtain it at the same time as the flu shot. For most beneficiaries, a pneumococcal vaccine need not be repeated. Flu shots are given annually, with vaccine changed from year to year to combat changing strains of the influenza virus. Philip R. Lee, M.D., assistant secretary for health, said, "Influenza can lead to pneumonia, and together they top all other infectious diseases for those 65 and older, so I get my annual flu shot -- and I've gotten my pneumonia shot." A HCFA study estimates that during the 1989-90 influenza season, more than 250,000 hospitalizations were related to the disease in the Medicare population age 65 and over. In the 1990-91 (Type B) influenza season, the number of hospitalizations in that age group exceeded 180,000. The 1994 effort to promote flu immunizations of older Americans includes distribution of information kits to consumer and provider organizations. Leaflets and posters are being distributed for display in public places throughout the nation. News releases and public service announcements will be distributed to news media. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a part of the Public Health Service, will help distribute information on the Medicare flu benefit through hundreds of community health centers and state and local health agencies. ###