• Vaccines prevent disease in not only the people who get vaccinated, but also
  others who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals.
• Prevent infectious diseases and save lives.
• Even though the United States has record low cases of vaccine preventable
  disease, the viruses and bacteria that cause them still exist.
• We need to keep immunizing so that disease stays eliminated.
• Vaccine-preventable diseases can have a costly impact on a family.
• Hospitalizations, medical bills, sick days from school and work, and lastly death.
• We vaccinate to protect the future.
• Older adults are more at risk for serious illness and death as a result of infection so it is vital for them to stay vaccinated.
• More likely to have chronic diseases/conditions
• More likely to have other health ailments
• As the body ages, the immune system doesn’t work as efficiently as it used to.

Transmission

• The influenza virus is very contagious!
• The virus is mainly spread person to person.
• It is passed through the coughs and sneezes of the infected individual.
• Surrounding individuals then breathe in the infected droplets or touch contaminated
  surfaces, and then touch their mouth, eyes or nose.
• The influenza virus can live on objects like doorknobs, telephones, etc. for 2—8 hours.
• Most healthy adults can be contagious 1 day BEFORE symptoms stat and up to 5 days AFTER becoming sick.

This program is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)) through USAging as part of a financial assistance award to USAging totaling $74,999,835 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement, by USAging, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.