KUALA LUMPUR: Elderly individuals are strongly encouraged to receive the influenza vaccine to protect themselves against severe infections, said respiratory medicine specialist Dr Roslina Abdul Manap.
As a member of the Malaysian Influenza Working Group (MIWG) Core Committee, Dr Roslina highlighted that older adults, especially those with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, are at a higher risk of complications from influenza, which can lead to serious issues like heart attacks and strokes.
“Influenza can be life-threatening for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, even if it is currently perceived as mild. The virus is prevalent year-round, with a more significant impact in tropical countries like Malaysia.
“While mild cases of influenza can typically be managed at home, families with elderly members should exercise caution and monitor their health closely.
“If symptoms worsen after 48 hours, or if the elderly individual experiences a loss of appetite or difficulty drinking during that period, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly,” she advised during her guest appearance on Bernama TV’s “Apa Khabar Malaysia’’ programme today.
Dr Roslina pointed out that awareness of the influenza vaccine is alarmingly low among the elderly in Malaysia, partly due to widespread misconceptions about the term ‘flu’ which many people equate with a simple cold.
“‘Flu’ is actually short for ‘influenza’, leading many to mistakenly view it as just a regular cold. As a result, they may not realise that they could be infected with the influenza virus,” she explained.
She emphasised the importance of receiving the vaccine annually to protect against the continuously mutating influenza virus, which reduces the vaccine’s effectiveness each year.
“We recommend vaccination once a year because the virus evolves annually. After 12 months, the vaccine’s efficacy against influenza may diminish. The side effects of the vaccine are generally minimal, usually limited to slight soreness and swelling at the injection site,” she added.
For more information about the influenza vaccine, visit the website www.actoflove.ifl.my. – BERNAMA
