Preparing Senior Citizens for the Flu Season:  by Bill Spear, R.Ph, CCN

Although everyone wants to avoid catching a cold or the flu, the elderly are especially at risk. The annoyances of colds and flu can prove to be sometimes deadly to the elderly especially if complications follow.  Older adults and people with chronic diseases are at the greatest risk of problems associated with seasonal flu. Because older adults have reduced cough and gag reflexes, they often have increased respiratory problems associated with flu. In addition, older adults have weakened immune systems, which makes it harder for their bodies to fight flu complications such as pneumonia.

Of all age groups, individuals older than age 84 have the highest risk of dying from seasonal flu complications; those older than age 74 face the second highest risk of flu complications. Children age 4 and younger have the third highest risk of problems with seasonal flu.

To prevent flu, make sure you and your family members get a flu shot — the essential key to flu prevention. You need it because there’s no cure for the flu — and flu complications can be really serious in some people, especially infants and young children, elderly adults, and people with heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and other chronic medical problems.

Hazle Drugs is offering flu shots daily from 9:00am -4:00 pm. No appointment is necessary.  Wendy Murphy, Pharm D and Bill Spear, R.Ph, CCN are immunization specialists who are certified to administer the flu vaccine.  The Flu shot is FREE to Medicare Part B patients who qualify.

Keeping your immune system fortified this flu season will also maintain wellness during the challenging days.  Nutritents for immune support include Co-Enzyme Q 10 (CoQ10), Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E, and Zinc.  In addition to these nutrients, take a high-potency vitamin-mineral supplement that includes zinc and selenium.  Zinc, working synergistically with vitamin A, also supports the thymus gland and enhances immune functions of white blood cells, and inhibits the growth of a wide range of nasty viruses.  Another immune support tip is to take the French Homeopathic medicine Oscillococcium at the first sign of the flu.  This natural medicine can help reduce the symptoms of the flu including fever, chills, body aches and pain.  Also taking extracts of elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) which are rich sources of dark purple-blue flavonoids that move vitamin C into cell interiors and inhibit multiplication of influenza viruses is helpful.

Hazle Drugs also offers the Pneumonia, Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 Vaccine, Zostavax Vaccine (Shingles), Shingrix (Shingles) and TdaP (Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis) Vaccine.

For more information please contact Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Bill Spear, R.Ph at Hazle Drugs 570-454-2476.  Visit our new and updated website: www.hazledrugs.com to learn more about our services and shop our online store

 Bill Spear, R.Ph., CCN is a Compounding Pharmacist and Certified Clinical Nutritionist. 

He is available for personal Nutritional Consultations at

Hazle Drugs 1 E. Broad St. Hazleton, Pa. 18201, (570)-454-2476

Call for more information or to schedule your

Nutritional Consultation today!