“RSV multi focal pneumonia/sepsis/hyponatremia”
“Rt pneumonia/pe/intubated pulm hypertension”

Our doctors and nurses say things like this to me every day. I used to need interpreters but, after 35 years, I now understand most of these acronyms. And I bet, so do you. The bottom line above is that RSV is deadly stuff. These two claim definitions are real and represent a US$650,000 and a US$350,000 hospital bill. There were hundreds of other RSV claims this year and they were mostly preventable. All you had to do was get the RSV vaccine. The horror of hospitalization is just too high a price to pay. The money is irrelevant, but the pain and suffering are all too real.

We have had hundreds of RSV claims, with many of them arising in Arizona. I am not sure if the weather or the valley fever incidents have any effect on the statistics, but they are certainly far above normal.

Speaking of vaccines, there are enormous health benefits to receiving almost any vaccine. The shingles shot and the pneumonia shots are musts. Just get them, as they prevent nasty, nasty diseases and perhaps even death. We are reading about the upsurge in measles almost every day. Hopefully, we all had our shot many, many years ago and are well protected, but it is still worth checking with your doctor to make sure.

And, of course, the most common vaccine of all is the flu shot and hopefully, you have been wise enough to get it every year. The new (at least to me) studies have shown that receiving annual flu shots is associated with a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in older adults. What??? Vaccinated adults over 65 show a 40-55% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

The senior, higher-dose flu shots also reduce inflammation and provide the best protection against Alzheimer’s and dementia. Other, earlier studies have shown that other vaccines can contribute to significantly reduced dementia as well. These are brand-new studies done in 2026 and I recommend that you get the high-dose flu vaccine every year, without fail.

A huge side benefit will be reduced claims and, therefore, lower travel insurance prices.

In Canada, summer 2026 astronomically begins on Sunday, June 21, with the summer solstice. The solstice marks the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point. I am ready!

Have a wonderful summer.