Flu Shots

September 24, 2003

I am very susceptable to getting the flu, bronchitis etc. But I want

to avoid getting a flu/pnuemonia shots. Any suggestions??

Thanks, bernie

August 14, 2005

In a message dated 8/14/2005 6:16:37 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, writes:

US to require flu shots for nursing home patientsFri Aug 12, 2005 7:53 PM BSTBy Susan HeaveyWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. nursing homes must vaccinate all theirpatients against the flu and pneumonia starting this fall or riskbeing kicked out of the Medicare and Medicaid programs under a newplan made public on Friday.The proposal, which has not yet been finalized, would ensure that themost vulnerable elderly receive their flu shots but could raisequestions about how many doses will remain as Americans head into the2005-2006 flu season with only two U.S.-approved vaccine makers.Influenza kills about 36,000 Americans and hospitalizes 200,000 eachyear. People 65 and older are among the most vulnerable to the flu,especially those in the close quarters of nursing homes where germscan spread more easily."Vaccines against these diseases are effective in preventinghospitalizations and death," Mark McClellan, head of the agency thatruns the U.S. insurance programs for the elderly, disabled or poor,said in a statement. "However, many at-risk people are not gettingthe vaccines they need."There are between 1.6 million and 2 million residents inapproximately 18,000 nursing homes, according to various U.S.government estimates.In order to keep receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments, nursinghomes would have to vaccinate each patient unless he or she or theirfamily refused "for medical reasons," it said.If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declaresanother shortage, states could have the option not to cite theviolation.Last year, officials said elderly patients should have first accessto flu shots after one of two U.S. flu vaccine makers -- ChironCorp. -- lost its license and could not deliver 48 million doses,

which were half the anticipated supply. Despite initial confusion andlong lines, the season ended with a surplus of unused vaccines.U.S. health officials have said Chiron is making progress in fixingits problems, but it is not clear if the firm will be able to rejoinSanofi-Aventis unit Sanofi-Pasteur on the U.S. market this year.GlaxoSmithKline is seeking approval to sell its version of thevaccine in the United States but no decision had been announced.MedImmune Inc. makes a nasal spray vaccine.Medicare officials said they came up with the nursing home rule afterhearing from the CDC and two industry groups -- the AmericanAssociation of Homes and Services for the Aging and the AmericanHealth Care Association.Only 65 percent of nursing home residents received flu shots,according to one 1999 survey. Officials said they want to raise thatfigure to 90 percent.To help encourage more shots, Medicare officials in January said theywould pay $18 for each vaccination on top of the cost of the actualdose, up from $8. Medicaid reimbursements vary state-to-state.Nursing homes must also give pneumonia vaccine to patients who havenever had it, officials said. Only 38 percent of elderly patients hadreceived them, the 1999 survey found.Medicare's statement, dated August 11 and posted online on Friday,also said the homes should give flu shots to their workers.The proposed rule is open for public comments for 15 days. Medicarespokeswoman Mary Kahn said she expected the final rule to beimplemented soon after.

Hi Kathy,

I think that is pretty scary. I agree that if the patients or their families want the vaccinations, they should have preference, but I in no way think that they should be forced to have them. Where are the Civil Liberties people here?

I am an RN,but personally, I have never taken a flu shot, and never will. I always use natural alternatives to keep myself healthy against the flu. I would hate to think that I might become old or disabled, and be forced to have one.

Barb

RN, Wholistic Healthcare Consultant