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Flu, Pneumonia Shots Critical to Preventive Health
Medicare and Delmarva Foundation Promote Immunization in August

Easton, MD, August 8, 2005 - In honor of Adult Immunization Awareness Month, Delmarva Foundation, Maryland and the District of Columbia's Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, reminds adults over the age of fifty to get a flu shot annually and those over the age of 65 to be up to date on their pneumococcal vaccinations.

“Recent studies indicate that less than 40 percent of Marylanders aged 65 and older have ever received their pneumococcal vaccination,” said Maulik Joshi, president and CEO, Delmarva Foundation. “Pneumococcal disease is a common bacterial infection that can be a complication of influenza, especially in older adults. It can be deadly but preventive measures such as the vaccine can prove to be highly effective protection from the disease.

With proper immunization, both the flu and pneumococcal disease are highly preventable diseases. The current vaccines available to prevent these diseases are safe and effective and are fully covered benefits under Medicare’s Part B benefit.

In honor of August’s Adult Immunization Awareness Month, Delmarva offers the following information about the flu and pneumococcal vaccines.

• If you are aged 50 or older, you should get a flu shot every year for protection. Those with heart or lung diseases, kidney disease or blood disorders should get the shot regardless of their age.
• The best time to get a flu shot is in early October or November each year, before the beginning of the flu season. You are protected about two weeks after receiving the shot and your protection lasts about a year.
• Getting your pneumococcal vaccine will protect you from 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. In most cases, this is a one-time shot although some people may need a second shot.
• You can get your pneumococcal shot any time during the year. This shot begins protecting you within two to three weeks. Ask your provider to give you this shot at the same time you get your flu shot.
• No matter where you get your immunizations, Medicare will pay for them. You can get your shots at your regular doctor’s office or at a community health clinic. If you are a resident at a nursing home or assisted living facility, ask someone at your facility about what programs they have to offer residents flu and pneumococcal shots. Many pharmacies and supermarkets also have special programs to offer these shots.

For more information about the influenza or pneumococcal vaccine, please visit www.delmarvafoundation.org.

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About Delmarva Foundation
Delmarva Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality in over 20 states. Since 1973, Delmarva has assisted in improving care in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, medical practices and health plans. Delmarva performs quality improvement, quality assurance, utilization review, external quality review and Program Safeguard activities. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Easton, Maryland with other offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, DC; Columbia, South Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information, please visit Delmarva Foundation on the web at www.delmarvafoundation.org.