Medicare and Medicaid cover both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines. Seniors are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccine that protects against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called swine flu) is a separate vaccine and is available now.  The first available doses of this vaccine should be given to those at highest risk of infection and complications such as children, pregnant women, health care workers and younger adults with certain medical conditions.There is some evidence that people 65 and older are less likely than younger people to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. For more information about the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines, visit www.flu.gov. 

A new drug, tenecteplase, is being tested for maintaining catheter function and reducing the need for hospitalization in dialysis patients with catheters. The study, called TROPICS 3, is the largest ever, randomized controlled trial assessing dysfunction in hemodialysis catheters and showed a statistically significant difference of treatment success in patients treated with tenecteplase versus a placebo. 
 
Catheter dysfunction presents a serious issue for hemodialysis patients, as well as their treatment providers. Researchers found the drug to be very safe, with no major bleeding reported. The drug is still in the trial stage and is not yet FDA approved.