Experts fear that vaccination rates have continued to fall during the pandemic, as has happened with children when older people fail to go to doctor’s offices or pharmacies and do not fire off shots.
Financial and bureaucratic obstacles also prevent vaccination efforts. Medicare Part B fully covers three vaccines: influenza, pneumococci and, when indicated, hepatitis B.
However, the Tdap and shingles vaccines fall under Part D, which can make reimbursement difficult for doctors. The vaccines are easier to get in pharmacies. Not all Medicare beneficiaries buy Part D, and for those who do, coverage varies by plan and may include deductibles and co-payments.
However, older adults can get access to most recommended vaccines for free or at low cost through doctors’ offices, pharmacies, supermarkets, and local health departments. For the good of all, they should do it.
The CDC recommends the following:
flu An annual shot in autumn – and it’s not too late because the flu season is at its peak from late January to February. Depending on which strain is in circulation, the vaccine (ask about the stronger versions for seniors) prevents 40 to 50 percent of cases. It also reduces the severity of the disease for those infected.
Flu activity so far this year has been exceptionally low, possibly due to social distancing and masks or because closed schools prevented children from spreading it. Manufacturers have shipped a record number of doses, so more people may have been vaccinated. In any case, fears of influenza / Covid wind chemistry have not yet been recognized.
Even so, infectious disease experts urge older adults (and anyone over six months old) to get a flu shot now. “Flu is moody,” said Dr. Conductor. “It could take off like a rocket in January.”
