It's Flu shot time!

[MandysMom]

It's flu shot time! News interview tonight with a Dr said this years vaccine will reduce your risk of death from flu by 40 to 60%! We are going Saturday when our favorite pharmacist is on duty. She analyzes each of our risk and chooses the vaccine she thinks will protect each of us best with our individual health and age in mind. Stay healthy everyone!
Velda

[Liz]

Got mine already.

[BarbaraRose]

got mine last week!

[Rufflesgurl]

Every time I go to the pharmacy, I'm reminded that the flu shots are available. Just don't want to get it too early. Think I usually get it end of October.

Linda

[IrishIroamed]

Getting my free shot thru work after I get back from WI.

[monik7]

I read several articles within the last week recommending that seniors delay getting their flu shots into late October. They apparently say this because testing has shown the vaccine doesn't stay active as long in seniors leaving them susceptible to getting the flu in the spring when the vaccine ceases to work. Don't know whether this is advocated throughout the medical community.

Sandi

[MandysMom]

Sandi, there is also now a senior dose which hopes to eliminate that lesser response of senior immunity. That is part of what my favorite pharmacist considers when choosing my vaccine and dose. That is why I like going to a place that is not just blanket dosing everyone the same but actually thinking about each person as they should. Just did a search and according to the VA public health page, it takes about two weeks for peak immunity and people should get the flu vaccine early in October as soon as it is available and with proper dose, it will last entire season. If you wait until late October then you will be into mid November before immunity peaks which is well into flu season.

I have also read lots about how important Vit D is in immunity and had mine tested and found I was low, so my Dr has me on a high dose supplement. Research has shown in multiple studies that keeping Vit D up helps fight virus. I was surprised that even though I'm not in a far north state I was still low D and then husband found he is as well! Vit D, it's not just for bone health! Like cholesterol, know your numbers is important. it would be interesting to know, with recent research showing as we get older our D falls, whether some of you RVers who hike outdoors a lot, are able to maintain higher levels. That would be a fun study, follow fulltimers from leaving workforce into fulltime outdoor play to see over years how,their Vit D levels maintain or rise or fall.
Velda

[Liz]

Sandi, there is also now a senior dose which hopes to eliminate that lesser response of senior immunity. That is part of what my favorite pharmacist considers when choosing my vaccine and dose. That is why I like going to a place that is not just blanket dosing everyone the same but actually thinking about each person as they should. Just did a search and according to the VA public health page, it takes about two weeks for peak immunity and people should get the flu vaccine early in October as soon as it is available and with proper dose, it will last entire season. If you wait until late October then you will be into mid November before immunity peaks which is well into flu season.

I have also read lots about how important Vit D is in immunity and had mine tested and found I was low, so my Dr has me on a high dose supplement. Research has shown in multiple studies that keeping Vit D up helps fight virus. I was surprised that even though I'm not in a far north state I was still low D and then husband found he is as well! Vit D, it's not just for bone health! Like cholesterol, know your numbers is important. it would be interesting to know, with recent research showing as we get older our D falls, whether some of you RVers who hike outdoors a lot, are able to maintain higher levels. That would be a fun study, follow fulltimers from leaving workforce into fulltime outdoor play to see over years how,their Vit D levels maintain or rise or fall.
Velda

I was given the high/senior dose of flu vaccine this year and last. Don't remember before that. I was on a high dose Vit D supplement for years. At last year's checkup, bloodwork apparently showed way too high amount in my blood, so dr. took me off it totally. Good to get that level checked. It will be interesting to see what my level is in December when I have my checkup this year.

[Acadianmom]

I need to see who around here gives the senior flu shot. I have been going to a walk-in clinic and I'm sure everyone gets the same shot.

Martha

[Liz]

I need to see who around here gives the senior flu shot. I have been going to a walk-in clinic and I'm sure everyone gets the same shot.

Martha

I got mine at Walmart.

[MandysMom]

Liz that is interesting about your D level but somehow does not surprise me! Good for you indeed!
Velda

[dpf]

I try to wait until later in the fall to get mine, but I am definitely going to ask for the senior version.

[MandysMom]

Just keep in mind it takes several weeks for peak immunity to develop! My worst case of flu came when I delayed and got flu a week later before my immunity could respond ! And that was December.
Velda

[bluepinecones]

I usually get my shot around birthday in mid Oct. Got the senior dose last year and assume I can get it again this year.
Have not been successful in getting my doctor to check Vit D and I'm also concerned about B12 level. My sister suffered from being severely short on both and it effected her mind. Was startled at how fast she improved once doctor discovered the problem and put her on high dose D + B12 shots (some seniors loose ability to properly absorb B12 from food as they age).

[Acadianmom]

I got my flu shot when I went to Walmart. I should have gotten it last week because I'm going to be around a lot of people next weekend.

Martha