Sharon J. Elliott, a member of the Pitt County Council on Aging staff, recently participated in the Gerontological Society of America’s National Summit on Advancing the Draft National Adult Immunization Plan.
Elliott was invited to participate in the summit as a representative of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). She is an occupational therapist and the healthy aging specialist at the Council on Aging.
The purpose of the summit was to engage a variety of stakeholders of multiple disciplines to brainstorm and collaborate on strategies to help increase the rate of adults who receive flu immunizations. According to the CDC, adults 65 years of age and older are more prone to flu-related morbidity and mortality compared to the general population.
The CDC states research has shown the cost effectiveness of flu vaccines for all age groups recommended to receive the vaccine.
After the summit, Elliott provided recommendations to the AOTA to facilitate, educate and empower occupational therapy practitioners nationwide to assist in increasing the rate of adults being immunized against the flu.
The Pitt County Council on Aging is a private nonprofit organization hose mission is to enhance the quality of life for adults by providing access to a continuum of services, programs and resources that promote healthy living and independence.
For more information about influenza and vaccine recommendations visit www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm or http://www.nvic.org/.
For more information about the Pitt County Council on Aging services, call 752-1717 or visit pittcoa.com
http://www.reflector.com/workweek/people/council-aging8217s-elliott-attends-national-flu-summit-3101783
