#26 - Quick Tip: How to Prioritize Prevention With a Flu Vaccine During Your Hospital Stay

Could your loved one get a flu vaccine before leaving the hospital, and why might that matter?When I’m caring for older adults in the hospital, I’m always thinking about what we can do to prevent the next hospital stay. That is why I want you to think about the hospital stay itself as an opportunity for prevention.If your loved one is getting ready for discharge, this may be a perfect time to ask about getting a flu vaccine. For older adults and medically frail people, influenza can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, and even death. Getting vaccinated may help reduce the risk of those outcomes.In this quick tip episode, I’m talking about why I want caregivers to ask about the flu vaccine before discharge, what the vaccine can help prevent, and what other vaccines you may want to ask about while your loved one is in the hospital.You’ll learn:Why influenza can be especially serious for older and medically vulnerable adults.How getting a flu vaccine during a hospital stay can support prevention and help reduce the risk of serious flu-related complications.What other vaccines you can ask your hospitalist about before discharge, including pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. Listen to this quick tip to learn how you can use your loved one’s hospital stay as an opportunity for prevention and help set them up for success after discharge.