February 2023 Alzheimer’s News

A recent U.S. study of nearly two million people 65 and older, split evenly between those who had received a flu vaccination at least once in their lifetime and those who had not, showed that those who had received the vaccination were 40% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s than those who had not been vaccinated. The study between vaccinated patients were found to have developed Alzheimer’s disease at four-year follow-up appointments, according to researchers, compared with 8.5% of non-vaccinated patients. The author of the study, Dr. Avram S. Bukhbinder, said that flu vaccination in older adults reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease for several years. The strength of this protective effect increased with the number of years that a person received an annual flu vaccine. The study from UT Health Houston was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
You can learn more by going to www.alz.org/help-support/resources or the Alzheimer’s Helpline which is accessible 24/7 via 800-272-3900 and staffed by master’s level clinicians to assist with crisis situations, decision making, and disease information. You can find virtual dementia caregiver resources online at alz.org/covid19help. Tools and support are also available in Spanish.
Want to learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and what they do here in St. Louis? Visit alz.org and/or contact PUCC’s Faith Outreach Ambassador with the Alzheimer’s Association, Joyce Ruiz at joyceruiz7@gmail.com