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As we begin to wind down on summer, it’s the perfect time to schedule your seasonal flu vaccine and make sure you’re up to date on other vaccines that help to protect you against respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 or pneumonia. These conditions tend to be more common during the fall and winter months, so you want to be sure you take the necessary preventative measures ahead of time.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), an annual observance that highlights the importance of vaccination for people of all ages, especially those 65 and older. During NIAM, take a moment to ensure you’re current on all recommended vaccines for your age group.
Recommended Vaccines for Older Adults
Vaccines are an important preventative measure that helps to protect yourself and those around you. As we get older, our immune system undergoes dramatic age-related changes. It becomes slower to respond and is much more easily compromised if and when exposed to disease, resulting in slower recovery from injuries, infection, and illness. This is because your body produces fewer immune cells, including white blood cells, with age.
For this very reason, it is vital that you are current on all recommended vaccines. There are five vaccines adults age 65 and older should consider to prevent certain diseases:
Influenza (Flu)
The flu shot is recommended for everyone six months or older. They usually become available in September, so you’re protected during the critical months, typically fall and winter, when influenza is usually common and highly contagious. Influenza is a respiratory virus. For adults over the age of 65, a high-dose flu vaccine is available, which helps create a strong immune response.
Pneumonia
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults 65 years or older. The pneumonia vaccine is considered a one-time vaccine that offers protection against over 15 types of pneumococcal bacteria that commonly cause severe infections in adults. The vaccine is 60 to 70 percent effective in preventing serious disease complications and is expected to last throughout your lifetime.
Shingles
Older adults should receive two doses of the shingles vaccine, two to six months apart, to help protect against the viral infection. Shingles is a reactivation of chickenpox that develops on the body as a painful rash with blisters. The shingles vaccine is the only way to protect yourself against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication of shingles.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
The Tdap vaccine can prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Tetanus enters the body through cuts and wounds, and diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. These three diseases can lead to very serious health problems and can even become life-threatening.
Tetanus causes stiffening in the muscles and can result in difficulty swallowing or breathing. Diphtheria can also cause trouble breathing, in addition to heart failure and paralysis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe, eat, or drink. Adults should receive a booster Tdap vaccine every 10 years.
COVID-19
The older population remains more vulnerable to severe symptoms from COVID-19. There are currently several vaccines available to protect yourself from the virus, including updated booster shots to address new variants. Some vaccines require two doses, while others are single-dose options. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing the required doses.
Maintain Your Health With Vaccines
Take a proactive role in your health and get the necessary vaccines to ensure your safety. Vaccines are a small price to pay for Better Health. It’s important to discuss your vaccine options with your healthcare provider. At VIPcare, we offer all recommended vaccines for adults 65 and older. Your health and safety are important to us. Learn more about vaccines and what preventative measures you can take by scheduling an appointment with a VIPcare provider today! Call 239-747-7202
239-747-7202
www.getvipcare.com
1997 S Tamiami Trail, Ste 206
Estero, FL 33928
