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recent 80th birthday fundraising
event in support of Race Against
Dementia and the Dementia
Australia Research Foundation.
Stewart founded Race Against
Dementia to fund research into the
prevention and cure of dementia. He said his motivation to find a cure
comes from caring for his wife of 57
years, Helen, who was diagnosed with
frontotemporal dementia in 2014.
“Helen’s condition has had a
devastating impact on my family,
as it does for millions of families
living with dementia around
the world,” Stewart said.
“I am now facing one of the
biggest challenges of my life
and will put all my efforts into
finding a cure for this disease.”
Australian touring car legend Allan
Moffat, who was inducted into the
V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 1999,
has a lived experience of dementia.
Moffatt first spoke about his
Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis
in September last year.
“By speaking up about my experience
with Alzheimer’s disease, I can
encourage others to seek support
and know that they are not alone if
they have concerns about themselves
or a loved one,” Moffat said. ■
The vaccine named Fluad Quad is
designed for older adults whose immune
systems weaken with age.
The listing comes after pharmacists
said they had seen a huge surge in people
getting flu shots, outpacing last season’s
demand.
“[Pharmacist] flu clinics, which have just
started in the last couple of weeks, have
been fully booked out,” said Associate
Professor Christopher Freeman, president
of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. “I think the COVID-19 pandemic
has heightened that awareness for
everybody.”
With the coronavirus proving to be
fatal for the elderly, Austin Health’s
Michael Woodward said this is not the
year you want to get flu.
“While the flu vaccine does not
protect against the COVID-19 virus,
immunising against the flu … may
help to reduce the risk of diagnostic
uncertainty between flu and
COVID-19.”
Protecting against flu, Woodward
said, may also help reduce pressure
on the health system and intensive
care units.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s
Greg Turnbull said they had seen a
heightened demand for flu shots as
Australians started to get the message.
“There’s already a lot of demand in
the community,” he said
“If you’re going to try to resist or
survive COVID-19, it’s better that you
are fit and not suffering from influenza
at the same time.”
The Royal Australian College of
General Practitioners has urged
Australians to get their flu shots earlier
than usual, but reminded people to call
their GP ahead of time. ■
Driven to help
Sir Jackie Stewart and wife Helen. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Motor racing legends named
Dementia Australia ambassadors.
S
ir Jackie Stewart and Allan
Moffat were officially welcomed
as ambassadors at Stewart’s
Just the shot
Older Australians to get
targeted flu shot.
By AAP
T
he first flu vaccine specifically
aimed at people aged 65 or older
will be available in Australia, ahead
of the flu season.
It is hoped early vaccination will ease
pressure on a health system already
stressed by the coronavirus.
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agedcareinsite.com.au