Elderly Urged to Get Their Flu Shots

WASHINGTON — Public health officials appealed Thursday to older Americans to get their flu shots early, before an especially virulent strain of influenza begins spreading. And for the first time, the government announced, Medicare will pick up the costs for the elderly and disabled.

“Today, we think of the flu more as a nuisance than a plague,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala. “This misconception costs lives.”

This year’s flu--known as A-Beijing--already has caused three outbreaks in Louisiana. The strain has been associated with more sickness and death among people 65 and older, according to Dr. Philip R. Lee, assistant secretary for health.

The chronically ill, including children with asthma and people with AIDS, also are more vulnerable to complications from the flu.

Because the flu season is expected to begin earlier than usual, the government is urging at-risk Americans to get their shots before the end of October, rather than waiting until mid-November.

Medicare also will pick up the costs of a flu shot for Americans 65 and older and the disabled. They normally would have to spend anywhere from $8 to $40 for a shot.