Savvy Senior: Different flu shots available for seniors this year

1:28 PM, Oct. 1, 2012  |  Comments
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Dear Savvy Senior,


Health-conscious Carol

Dear Carol,


Flu shots


This year, all seniors 65 and older have two flu vaccine options from which to choose: a traditional flu shot or a shot of Fluzone High-Dose.


And if you're younger than 65, your two options are a regular flu shot or a shot of Fluzone Intradermal. The intradermal vaccine uses a shorter, thinner needle to inject the vaccine just under the skin, rather than deeper in the muscle like standard flu shots.

If you're squeamish about needles, this is a nice option.

Alert: You need to be aware that if you're allergic to chicken eggs or if you have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past, you should not get vaccinated without consulting your doctor first.


Medicare: You'll be happy to know that if you're a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will cover 100 percent of the costs of any flu shot.

If you're not a Medicare beneficiary, expect to pay around $25 to $35 for a regular or intradermal flu shot or $50 to $60 for a shot of the high-dose.

Pneumonia vaccine

The other important vaccination the CDC recommends to seniors - especially this time of year - is the pneumococcal vaccine for pneumonia and meningitis. Pneumococcal diseases hospitalize around 300,000 U.S. seniors each year and kill around 5,000.

The CDC currently recommends all seniors 65 or older get a one-time-only shot of the vaccine Pneumovax, as well as those under 65 who smoke or have chronic health conditions like asthma, lung and heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.

Cost: Pneumovax, which protects against 23 strains of the pneumococcal disease, is also covered 100 percent under Medicare Part B, and you can get it on the same day you get your flu shot.

If you're not covered by insurance, this vaccine costs around $45 to $85 at retail clinics.

Alternative: You also need to know that this year, there's an alternative pneumococcal vaccine available to people age 50 and older called Prevnar 13. This vaccine, which has been available to children for several years, may provide seniors longer-lasting and better protection against pneumonia than Pneumovax.

Talk to your doctor to determine which pneumonia vaccine is best for you.

Prevnar 13 also is covered by most insurers including Medicare Part B, but if you aren't covered, the shot runs between $100 and $150.

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