By Felipe Gascon, DO, Primary Care at Millennium Physician Group
Staying protected from the flu is an important part of staying healthy throughout the year. For older adults, influenza can be much more serious. As we age, changes in the immune system can make it harder to fight infections. At the same time, chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase the risk of complications.
That makes flu prevention essential to your overall wellness – especially as another flu season approaches. The good news is that a few simple steps, beginning with an annual flu vaccination, can help reduce the risk of serious illness.
Flu Season Is Coming. How Can You Prepare?
Flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. It spreads easily when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and you can also pick up the virus from contaminated surfaces before it reaches your eyes, nose, or mouth.
For the 2026-2027 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Flu activity generally increases in fall and winter, although the timing and severity can vary each season. For most people, September and October are the ideal months to get vaccinated. The timing is particularly important for older adults because the body needs about two weeks after vaccination to develop its protective immune response.
This doesn’t mean the opportunity to protect yourself passes after October. If you haven’t received your flu vaccine, it is still worthwhile to get vaccinated later in the season while flu viruses are circulating and the vaccine is still available.
And if you’ve already had the flu this season, vaccination is still beneficial. Flu vaccines protect against multiple influenza strains, so having one strain does not
necessarily provide protection against others that may circulate later.
Why Older Adults Face Greater Flu Risks
Adults 65 and older are more likely than younger adults to experience serious complications from influenza. One reason is immunosenescence, the natural change in immune function that occurs with age. The immune system may not respond to infections as strongly as it once did, making recovery more difficult.
The risk can be even greater for older adults living with certain chronic health conditions. Influenza can worsen existing heart and lung conditions, and may contribute to complications such as pneumonia,
hospitalization, and, in several cases, death.
Recent flu seasons demonstrate why prevention matters. During the 2024-2025 season, flu-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits reached their highest levels in 15 years, with more than an estimated 710,000 hospitalizations and more than 45,000 deaths reported, according to the CDC.
Is There a Different Flu Vaccine for Older Adults?
Because the immune response can become less robust with age, the CDC recommends that adults 65 and older receive one of three types of flu vaccines when available:
• A high-dose vaccine
• An adjuvanted vaccine
• A recombinant vaccine
These vaccines are designed to produce a stronger immune response in older adults than a standard-dose flu vaccine. However, if a preferred vaccine isn’t readily available, getting a standard flu vaccine is still better than delaying vaccination.
Pneumococcal Protection Matters, Too
Flu isn’t the only respiratory illness worth preventing. Pneumococcal infections can cause serious conditions, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, and pneumonia can also be a complication of influenza.
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for adults 50 and older, as well as for certain individuals at increased risk. If you’re unsure whether you are up to date, your healthcare provider can review your vaccination history and determine which vaccine(s) is appropriate for you. In some cases, flu and pneumococcal vaccines can be given during the same visit.
A Flu Shot is One Part of Staying Well
Vaccination is an important step you can take to reduce your risk of seasonal flu, but it works best alongside everyday precautions:
• Wash hands regularly
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you’re ill to limit spread
It’s also important to recognize when you may need medical attention. Flu symptoms often begin suddenly and can include:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Intense fatigue
Older adults do not always develop a fever, so any sudden change in how you feel during flu season is worth paying attention to.
Get Ready for Flu Season with Millennium Physician Group
You don’t have to navigate flu season alone.
Millennium Physician Group can help you understand your vaccination options, determine which prevention plan is right for you, and answer questions about
protecting yourself and loved ones from influenza and other respiratory illnesses. A conversation with your healthcare provider today can help you take a proactive approach for your health throughout flu season.
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Naples, FL 34120
866.270.2460 | MillenniumPhysician.com
This information is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical guidance, diagnosis or treatment. No physician-patient relationship is created by this or its use.