Savvy Senior: the flu shots explained

Q: I read that the flu season, there are a large number of flu shots. Which flu shot is for me?

– Carol aware of the flu

A: It was not so long ago, if you wanted to protect yourself from the flu, you were just getting the flu shot. But now there are so many flu shot options that you might feel like ordering a menu. To help you decide which vaccine is right for you, consider your health, your age, and your personal preferences. Here's what you need to know:

Flu vaccine options

As is the case each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a seasonal influenza vaccine to all people 6 months of age and older, but is especially important for seniors who are at higher risk of developing serious influenza complications. Influenza puts more than 200,000 people in hospital each year and kills on average 24,000 people, 80 to 90% of whom are elderly. Here is the summary of the different vaccine options (you just need one):

Standard Influenza Vaccines: IIf you want to keep things basic, you can not go wrong with a "standard (trivalent) flu shot" that has been around for over 40 years and protects against three different strains of the flu virus. This year's version protects against two strains A (H1N1 and H3N2) and one influenza B.

Or, for added protection, you should consider the "quadrivalent influenza vaccine" that protects against four types of flu – the same three strains as the standard trivalent flu vaccine, plus an additional strain B virus.

Specific Vaccines Senior: If you are 65 years old or older and want additional protection, you should consider "Fluzone High-Dose" or "FLUAD".

Fluzone High-Dose contains four times more antigen than a regular influenza vaccine, while FLUAD contains an added ingredient called MF59 adjuvant. Both vaccines provide a stronger immune response for better protection.

Vaccines against egg allergies: If you are allergic to eggs, the options for your flu shot are "Flucelvax" or "FluBlok". None of these vaccines use chicken eggs in their manufacturing process.

Fear of needle vaccines: If you do not like needles and you are between 18 and 64 years old, you have the choice between the vaccine "Fluzone Intradermal" or "AFLURIA".

The Fluzone Intradermal Influenza Vaccine uses a micro-needle 1/16 inch long to inject the vaccine just under the skin, rather than deeper into the muscle as the standard influenza vaccine. While the AFLURIA vaccine is administered by a jet injector, which is a medical device that uses a jet of high pressure and narrow fluid to penetrate the skin instead of a needle.

You should also know that if you are a Medicare beneficiary, Part B covers all flu shots, but if you have private health insurance, you will need to check with your plan for the vaccines they cover or not.

Vaccines against pneumonia

Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines are two other important vaccines that CDCs recommend to older people, especially at this time of year. About one million Americans are hospitalized each year with pneumonia and about 50,000 people die from it.

The CDC recommends that all people aged 65 and over receive two vaccines – Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. Both vaccines, administered once at different times, act in different ways to ensure maximum protection.

If you have not yet received a pneumococcal vaccine, you must first receive Prevnar 13, followed by Pneumovax 23 six to 12 months later. Medicare Part B covers both injections, if they are spaced at least a year apart.

To find a vaccination site offering vaccines for influenza and pneumonia, visit vaccines.gov and enter your postal code.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, PO Box 5443, Norman OK 73070 or see Savvysenior.org. Jim Miller contributes to NBC's "Today" show and is the author of The Savvy Senior.