Protect yourself from the flu this year — and protect your brain in the future?

With Texas summer heat still going full blast, it’s hard to even think about flu season. But this year it’s even more important to pencil those flu shot reminders into your calendar. August is immunization awareness month, and it’s never been more important to talk about the flu shot.

One of the side effects of the stay-at-home policies implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 has been a decreased use of routine preventive medical services. But some preventive medical services are necessary. Flu shots in particular are important protections that can help reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses on the population, an important concern during the current pandemic.

When to get your flu shot

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccination by the end of October — so pencil that reminder in now, but don’t get vaccinated just yet. A vaccination in August is too early, as the flu protection gradually decreases and might not be effective through the end of the season.

Protect against the flu… and Alzheimer’s?

If you need any additional encouragement to get that shot, here’s a big one:

Two separate abstracts presented at last month’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggest that a history of regular flu shots reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the future. According to neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson, founder of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medical Center, “This is an encouraging finding that builds upon prior evidence that vaccination against common infections diseases — such as the flu — is associated with a reduced risk for Alzheimer's and a delay in disease onset.”

While you’re penciling in those vaccination reminders, please remember that the compassionate caregivers at Overture are always just a phone call away and can help with organizing medical visits and medical travel for your senior loved ones. Contact us 24/7 for a free home care consultation: (817) 887-9401.

Additional resource:

Flu and pneumonia shots may lower risk for Alzheimer's, CNN Health, July 27, 2020 https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/27/health/flu-pneumonia-shot-lowers-alzheimers-risk-wellness/index.html