‘Tis the Season for Flu Shots for Elderly

WASHINGTON — October through mid-November is the best time for elderly Americans, for whom the flu can be deadly, to get shots.

“Death from the flu is a tragedy we can prevent,” Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala said Friday, urging senior citizens to get 1998 flu shots.

The shots are free to elderly and disabled Americans who have Medicare coverage for doctor’s office visits--commonly known as “part B” coverage--provided that the doctor accepts payment from the national health insurance program.

Since the influenza virus changes every year, flu shots must be repeated each fall. It’s best to get them early, but even a late shot--administered after mid-November or once a community has already been hit by the flu--can help.