Growing older and staying healthy during the flu season – promoting the need for flu vaccine

#TogetherAgainstFlu - 14/02/22

Older people are at a higher risk of influenza infections and serious life-altering complications. During recent flu seasons people 65 and over accounted for 85% of flu deaths and 70% of flu related hospitalisations in the US alone. The flu vaccination coverage of people aged 65 and over was less than 50% in the majority of the EU countries (2018). Despite evidence supporting the benefits of adult vaccination, vaccine uptake rates remain suboptimal among older persons.

Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing (IFA), highlights why it is important for older people to get vaccinated against the flu and how the uptake of the flu vaccine can be improved.