Immunizations and Vaccines That Are Important for Senior Adults
Whether you live in Collinsville or a different town, immunizations are important for adults of any age. Vaccines play a critical role in not only protecting your health, but also those around you.
As we age, fighting off infections can be more challenging for our immune systems. As such, University Hospitals recommends five vaccines for adults over the age of 65.
Influenza (The Flu)
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. It needs to be administered every year, typically in the fall. As the flu is a respiratory virus, it can spread quickly while indoors. Complications from the flu can result in pneumonia, sinus and ear infections, inflammation of the brain, heart, or muscle tissues, sepsis, and multiple organ failures.
Two vaccines are available for those over the age of 65: an adjuvanted flu vaccine and a high-dose flu vaccine. Both are provided by most health care providers.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a one-time vaccine. It is encouraged that everyone over the age of 65 receives this vaccine. Pneumonia is quite serious for children and older adults. The disease is caused by a bacteria or virus that infects the lungs. This infection can result in serious illness or death to those who get infected.
The vaccine is 60 to 70 percent effective in preventing this lung disease. There are two types of vaccines available for pneumonia: The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and the Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the vaccine for you.
Shingles
The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults over the age of 50, even if you have already had shingles in the past. It is administered in a two-shot series, with the second shot given 2-6 months after the initial dose.
While shingles is rarely life threatening, it is still incredibly painful. It is reactivated by the chickenpox virus and causes painful rashes to emerge. The vaccine is 90% effective, but sometimes its availability is limited. Talk to your doctor about the availability of the shingles vaccine in Collinsville.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
The Tdap vaccine helps keep you safe against three diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It is recommended to take the vaccine if you have never had a Tdap vaccine, or if your Td vaccine was more than ten years ago.
Tetanus is caused by bacteria found in soil, dirt, and manure. It can impair one's nervous system. Diphtheria is particularly harmful to the lining of the respiratory system, which can make breathing or swallowing difficult. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is especially dangerous for older adults.
Covid-19
The Center for Disease Control recommends the Covid-19 Vaccine for everyone over the age of 12. As the risk of severe illness of Covid-19 increases with age, it is especially recommended for older adults. The vaccine helps prevent severe illnesses caused by the virus.
The vaccine is typically administered in two shots two weeks apart. Many health care providers recommend receiving a third booster shot for additional protection. If you have yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19 or have not yet received a booster shot, talk to your doctor about the best course of action.
Senior Helpers of Collinsworth
If you need additional in-home care for a loved one, Senior Helpers is here for you. Feel free to contact us anytime.