| Title | Influenza vaccine and the elderly. | | Author(s) | Kattan N, Wooding FG | | Source | Consult Pharm 2009 Sep; 24(9):686-8. | | Abstract | 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. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 19842785 |
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