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Have you gotten your vaccines against the flu and pneumonia—two shots that could save your life?

Only 45 percent of Hispanics age 65 and over received the flu shot in 2006, compared to 67 percent of white non-Hispanics 65 and older, according to a new report by the AARP Public Policy Institute. Even fewer Latinos—33 percent—were immunized against pneumonia, compared to 62 percent of white non-Hispanics 65 and older.

Combined, the flu and pneumonia represent the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and result in thousands of hospitalizations. In the United States, approximately 36,000 people die from the flu each year, and more than 200,000 must be hospitalized. Some 4,850 die of invasive pneumococcal disease a year, and 175,000 are hospitalized. Yet these diseases can be prevented with simple vaccinations that Medicare recipients can get for free.

Flu Vaccine

"We've had more success with vaccinations by making sure parents and grandparents understand that they're protecting their children and the rest of the family by getting vaccinated." —Josefina Carbonell, assistant secretary for aging, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

Flu shots are vital, says Dr. Jeanne Santoli of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because “minority groups often experience more medical consequences from influenza.” For example, she says, “Hispanics 65 years of age and older often suffer from more chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which makes them more susceptible to flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death.”

“The issue is for people to understand the seriousness of the influenza,” says Josefina G. Carbonell, assistant secretary for aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Carbonell stresses the importance of protecting not just your own health, but also your family’s, because the flu is so contagious: “We’ve had more success with vaccinations by making sure parents and grandparents understand that they’re protecting their children and the rest of the family by getting vaccinated.”

Despite common misconceptions, the flu vaccine cannot give you flu because the shot doesn’t contain the live virus, and possible side effects are minimal, including soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given; low-grade fever; and aches. And the nasal-spray form—designed only for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 who are not pregnant—has only a weakened version of the virus. Viruses change often, so yearly vaccinations are critical. Keep in mind, too, that it takes about two weeks after vaccination to build up immunity.

Pneumococcal Vaccine 

For More Info

Visit MedlinePlus  for comprehensive information, including an interactive tutorial and how to tell if you have the flu or just a cold.

If you’re over 65 or have a serious illness such as diabetes or heart disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends talking to your doctor about getting the pneumococcal vaccine to ward off pneumonia. You have to get the shot only once, although you may need a booster after five years.

Similar to the flu vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine can’t give you the disease because it contains no live bacteria. Side effects may include soreness, redness, or pain around the site of the injection.

To find out where you can get a flu shot near you, visit the American Lung Association.

If you’re over 65, ask your doctor about getting the pneumococcal vaccine. If you’re not on Medicare, look for a local community clinic that offers vaccinations at a reduced rate.