With a backdrop of COVID-19, health care providers, payers, pharmacists, and vaccine manufacturers will all play a crucial role in defending Americans against influenza this season—especially older adults. The biggest fear among infectious disease experts like Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is defending against a “twindemic” this flu season—where cases of influenza add to the unyielding rise in COVID-19 cases.
A Pandemic in Progress
Approximately 235,700 more Americans could die from flu or COVID-19 just between October 2020 and May 2021 (Elflein, 2020). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 70% to 85% of seasonal flu–related deaths occur in people 65 years and older and 80% of COVID-19 deaths happen in this age group. At the current rates, a staggering 189,000 older adults could die from influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 flu season (Elflein, 2020). This year, health care providers, payers, pharmacists, and vaccine manufacturers must join forces to defend older adults against a twindemic through influenza disease education.
Suboptimal Flu Vaccination Rates for Older Adults
Though the CDC influenza vaccination goal for adults 65+ is 90%, the actual rate remains unacceptably low at approximately 63%.
Introducing the Immunizations for Older Adults Outcome Guided Engagement® (OGE®)—A New Patient Educational Tool From Aventria
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new digital tool: Immunizations for Older Adults OGE. Codeveloped with The Gerontological Society of America, this tool is designed to help providers, payers, and pharmacists increase immunization rates for adults aged 65+.
This OGE bundles together FREE evidence-based patient engagement tools and corresponding provider resources that support increasing immunization rates of older adults. Because the OGE can be easily integrated with electronic health record systems, and even an organization’s Web site, these resources are delivered within the clinical workflow, at the point of care.
The Immunizations for Older Adults OGE can:
Be used before, during, and after telehealth and in-person appointments to inform patients and their caregivers
Reinforce your organization’s support for the patient
Empower patients to help manage their own care
Stimulate dialogue and encourage collaboration between patient and care team
Strengthen the common goal of improved outcomes
To learn more about Aventria’s Immunizations for Older Adults OGE and how to help defend Americans from flu during the twindemic, please reach out to:
Dave Dierk, Co-President, 30-year sales and marketing thought leader in pharmaceutical diagnostics, biomedical, long-term care, managed care, employer, and pharmacy communications, at 215-489-9000 x103 or dave.dierk@aventriahealth.com.
Making a difference in patient care by helping patients, providers, and payers collaborate on shared priorities
Source:
Elflein J. Coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths per day compared to all causes US 2020. Statista. Published October 9, 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109281/covid-19-daily-deaths-compared-to-all-causes/. NOTE: Statistics change on a weekly basis.