One Senior’s Perspective on Flu & Independence
When 87-year-old Peggy Prendergast went to the hospital for a fractured hip in 2017, nothing prepared her for what she was about to see.
All around her, people were suffering from the debilitating consequences of the flu.
Once a senior is hospitalized because of a medical illness, like the flu and/or its complications, they are also at risk of losing their independence. After a hospital stay, as many as one-third of seniors leave the hospital with a reduced ability to
carry out their daily activities.1
Peggy wants to do everything she can to keep healthy, active and independent for as long as possible.
“I’m a volunteer art teacher in retirement residences and a proud grandmother to beautiful grandchildren, and I value my active and independent lifestyle that allows me to do the things I love,” said Peggy. “I get my flu shot each year. It’s an action I take that reassures me I am doing what I can to help prevent the flu.”
For Peggy, a committed senior advocate, it’s important for seniors to get vaccinated this flu season.
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends influenza immunization for high-risk individuals, such as adults 65+ and people with chronic diseases.2
Vaccination does not provide 100% protection and does not treat influenza and/or its complications or prevent hospitalization or death after the onset of disease.
1Covinsky, K.E., Palmer, R.M., Fortinsky, R.H., Counsell, S.R., Stewart, A.L., Kresevic, D., Burant, C.J., & Landefeld, C.S. (2003). Loss of independence in activities of daily living in older adults hospitalized with medical illnesses: Increased vulnerability with age. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 51, 451-458. doi: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2003.51152.x
2 Public Health Agency of Canada. (2021). An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS)/National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2021–2022. www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/ publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-statementseasonal- influenza-vaccine-2020-2021/naci-2020-2021-seasonalinfluenza-stmt-eng.pdf
More information on flu vaccines for seniors
Canadian Immunization Guide on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
Immunize Canada
Active Aging Canada: 1-800-549-9799
Supported by an educational grant from Sanofi Pasteur.
