Influenza vaccine and the elderly.
Although some controversy exists about the necessity of the annual influenza vaccine in the elderly population, it has been established that the benefits outweigh the risks. Vaccinating elderly patients helps prevent influenza-related mortality, avoids debilitating complications, and even averts exacerbation of certain comorbidities including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes. Even with all of its established benefits, barriers to access can prevent elderly individuals from receiving the vaccine. These barriers include a lack of education regarding the vaccine and a lack of vaccination enforcement by health care providers. As health care providers, it is our responsibility not only to treat disease, but also to prevent disease from occurring. The influenza vaccine is an easy and cost-effective way to prevent infection from the virus and the serious complications that may accompany it which, in turn, helps improve patients' quality of life.
Kattan
Nadia
N
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608, USA.
Wooding
Fae G
FG
D000368:Aged; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life
D007252:Influenza Vaccines