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Flu Vaccines for the Elderly Population Living in Rural Areas

Living in a rural area can be a godsend when it comes to living a simplistic life. However, when it comes to your health and wellness living in a rural area such as Malta, Montana can be difficult. Most rural areas have a limited number of medical resources for their needs, therefore everyone needs to be proactive and stay up to date on their medical needs and immunizations to help improve the overall health of the community and to individually stay healthy.

The elderly population makes up the largest percentage in most rural communities. This pertains to individuals ages 65 and up. The percentage of elderly people in Malta, Montana is close to 75%. This population is at highest risk for immunocompromised (lowered immune system) illnesses and diseases (Slawin, Brydak, Doniec, & Mastalerz-Migas, 2018). Protecting our elderly population within rural areas is very important. As we age our immune systems become weaker increasing our chances to become sick. With a decreased respiratory, kidney, and a slower gastrointestinal tract, the illness or bacteria tends to linger in the average elderly persons body for a longer period of time. For example, as we age our lung elasticity and capacity decreases tremendously making it harder for a elderly person to cough or take in adequate amounts of oxygen (Slawin et al., 2018).

An easy way to protect ourselves and the elderly population is to stay up to date on immunizations (Slawin et al., 2018). An important immunization for everyone to receive is the annual influenza vaccine. This vaccine is designed to help fight against the predicted influenza virus yearly. Your local health department can provide the vaccine. The availability of the vaccine continues through March. The vaccine helps to fight against influenza which is a respiratory illness by increasing our cells immunity to the virus (Slawin et al., 2018). This illness can result in hospitalization or even death. Contrary to what people believe, the influenza vaccination helps your immune system to fight against the respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches, and fatigue.

According to the study by Slawin, A., et al (2018), 96 elderly patients ages 60-75 were given the annual influenza vaccine. The placebo group composed of 96 elderly individual ages 60-75 who did not receive the influenza vaccine. Throughout the influenza flu season all 192 patients were tested to measure the effeteness of the influenza vaccine. The results concluded that the vaccine prevented 50-60% hospitalizations in patients 65 years of age or older and prevented 80% of the illnesses complications or death. The study concluded that the influenza vaccination induces a proper immune response in elderly patients providing them with increased protection from the deadly illness.

In conclusion, I hope to have informed the elderly population living in rural areas of this serious illness. I encourage you all to stay up to date on your vaccinations to help increase your overall health. If any further questions, please visit your local health department or primary care provider.

Jayla Graham

MSU Student Nurse

MHS Class of 2013

References

Slawin, A., Brydak, L. B., Doniec, Z., & Mastalerz-Migas, A. (2018). Influenza vaccine efficacy in patients aged 60-75 years in the 2016/2017 season. Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, 20(3), 263–266. https://ezproxy.minotstateu.edu:7087/10.5114/fmpcr.2018.78271

 

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