Association advocates for seniors to have access to higher-dose flu shot
Regina group receives presentation about immunization programs
The importance of vaccines for seniors took centre stage during a meeting at the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
Organized by a group of senior volunteers, the meeting involved the Regina chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), which is advocating for access to adult immunizations for seniors.
“This year, after some vocal advocacy on our part, Ontario will be the first province to fund the new higher-dose flu shot created specifically for seniors 65 plus,” CARP director of community affairs Anthony Quinn said in a news release.
According to CARP, the vaccine is 24-per-cent more effective for seniors whose immune systems don’t respond as well to vaccines as younger bodies do, and who are more likely to have severe reactions to influenza, particularly when combined with pre-existing conditions.
“Saskatchewan has recently announced that they will provide the high dose vaccine to seniors in long-term care this flu season, but anyone not in that system would have to pay for the high-dose vaccine out of pocket, at the cost of approximately $60,” said Quinn.
“The problem is that if the government isn’t providing it, our members tell us they don’t think they need it and are very unlikely to pay for it out of pocket.”
Seniors who are hospitalized with the flu have a 13-per-cent chance of permanent disability, including losing one or more of the functions of daily living like washing, dressing, feeding and more, says CARP.
CARP has been advocating for access to adult immunizations for many years and has had some success, mainly in Ontario, according to Quinn.
Four years ago, Ontario agreed to fund access for the shingles vaccines for seniors aged 65 to 70, a program that continues with “terrific uptake,” said the release, adding that no other province funds a shingles vaccine.
“All provinces are dealing with funding issues for the health-care system, and this new flu vaccine has the stats to show that it pays for itself, both in the prevention of illness and death and in the reduction of hospitalization costs,” said Quinn.
In its federal pre-budget submission, CARP has proposed the federal government provide some startup funding for the new flu and shingles vaccines for seniors similar to the Hpv/gardasil vaccination program for girls in grades 7 and 8.
Quinn spoke at the Regina meeting along with a medical expert that talked about new seniors vaccines on the market and the burden of flu in Saskatchewan and across Canada, both for individuals and the health-care system.
For more information on influenza in Saskatchewan visit the website at saskatchewan.ca.
All provinces are dealing with funding issues for the health-care system, and this new flu vaccine has the stats to show that it pays for itself ...