Each fall season older Michiganians may want to consider talking to their health care provider about getting an annual flu vaccination as protection against the seasonal flu. Such is the recommendation of the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC). The seasonal flu is a common respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that are transmitted from person to person.  Seasonal flu generally causes mild to severe respiratory illness, but also causes or contributes to death in about 36,000 cases annually in the U.S.  People over age 65 are at higher than average risk of a serious or fatal illness caused by the seasonal flu.  

The seasonal flu is not to be confused with the Avian (Bird) flu or the pandemic flu. Avian flu occurs naturally in birds but does not typically infect humans.  Pandemic flu, on the other hand, causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.

Be prepared!  Have a sensible flu prevention and preparedness plan for yourself and your caregivers.  This plan should include getting annual seasonal flu vaccinations (in consultation with your health care professional); practicing good health habits, such as hand washing hygiene; and stockpiling at least 2 weeks of food, water, prescriptions and non-prescriptions in case a sudden flu outbreak in your community (seasonal or otherwise) keeps you isolated at home.

Contact your doctor or your local public health department for information about the availability of seasonal flu vaccinations in your community.

• Michigan Department of Community Health Flu Information
• Centers for Disease Control, What You Should Know About The Flu
• Department of Health and Human Service, Pandemic and Avian Flu