Flu Vaccine Types vs Over 65

[stephenson]

Just been TOLD by local pharmacy that the enhanced strength vaccine (trivalent) is required for over 65.

Can't find definitive statement from any government or other medical site that it is mandatory - just that the over 65 version has greater amount of antigen to assist in less robust systems.

Thoughts?

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenson Just been TOLD by local pharmacy that the enhanced strength vaccine (trivalent) is required for over 65. Can't find definitive statement from any government or other medical site that it is mandatory - just that the over 65 version has greater amount of antigen to assist in less robust systems. Thoughts?

Last year the pharmacy gave me the stronger vaccine automatically. However, it may not protect against as many variants of the flu virus, so I've been told.

This year I was given a choice - the usual vaccine that protects against four types of flu, or the stronger vaccine that protects against three types of flu. I don't seem to be overly sensitive to these kinds of infections, and my immune system is not weakened by some disease, I chose the regular vaccine that protects against four types of flu.

[Telly]

Sounds like pharmacy personnel getting carried away with a usual procedure, thinking that it is mandatory.

I see no reason why a 65 or older person requesting the non-high dose flu shot, that they couldn't be given it. May want to check Medicare.gov to see if they will reimburse for the non-high dose.

Have to be 65 or over for the high dose.

Some info, particularly the CDC info, as that is who makes the charts that the insurance companies follow.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/qa_fluzone.htm

http://products.sanofi.ca/en/fluzone-hd.pdf

[Jerry1]

I’m not anti vaccine, but I don’t get the flu vaccine. I would hope all can agree that any medical intervention has potential for adverse side affects so, there’s a risk of getting the vaccine. That risk is offset by potential benefit, that you won’t get the flu. I was directed to the CDC data by my physician, who is, for full disclosure, anti vaccine. For the flu, the results are worth considering. In the best years it was about 60% effective, however on average it is less that 50% effective. As we frequently discuss risk tolerance here, I offer this only as a data point for your consideration as another type of risk/reward as you think about your choices.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-wor...ss-studies.htm

[mn54]

i am over 65. when i went to get the vaccine they were about to give me the senior shot but i asked for the regular one instead. no problem. definitely not mandatory that you have to receive the senior shot.

[Bestwifeever]

I got a flu shot yesterday at my new doctor's office. No one asked me which vaccine I wanted; they just gave me the Fluzone High-Dose one for 65+. Fine with me as I've decided not to sweat stuff like this.

[misanman]

When DW and I got our shots the nurse asked us which one we wanted. She really didn't want to recommend one over the other but after we picked the standard 4-strain shot she said she thought that was the best choice for otherwise healthy individuals who don't need the stronger shot to stimulate an immune system response. (obtw, we are 73)