Flu vaccination is critical for adults age 65 and older because they're at greater risk for serious flu complications such as pneumonia, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As part of National Influenza Vaccination Week, the agency designated Thursday as Older Adults Vaccination Day. Because the body's ability to fight illness weakens with age, older adults have some of the highest rates of hospitalization and death from the flu, the CDC said. Each year, older adults account for about 9 out of 10 seasonal flu-related deaths and more than 6 out of 10 seasonal flu-related hospital stays in the United States. The CDC is working with a number of grassroots and national organizations to educate older adults about the serious threat posed by the flu and the protection offered by flu vaccination.
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