August is a busy month with summer winding down and kids returning to school. It is also the time of year when we begin thinking about the upcoming flu season. That’s why August has been designated as National Immunization Awareness Month. Ads on television urging folks to get immunized for every condition imaginable can often cause uncertainty. In this blog, we’ll share information and resources about the common vaccines for adults over 65 and try to eliminate that confusion.
Immunizations To Know About
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), several vaccines are recommended for all adults over the age of 19. Additionally, there are some focused on illnesses primarily affecting older adults. Let’s take a look at the most commonly recommended vaccines.
All Adults over the Age of 19
- An updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone (even children starting at 6 months). The vaccine is safe, highly effective, and widely available at pharmacies and clinics. It is free to most insured AND uninsured adults.
For those over 65 who have received one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine, it is recommended that a second dose of the updated vaccine be received 4 months after the first.
- A yearly Influenza (aka Flu) vaccine is also recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. This vaccine is safe, widely available, and has many benefits:
- It works well for flu prevention.
- It is effective at reducing the severity of the flu for those who do get the virus.
- It reduces the risk of hospitalization and the possibility of complications for those with specific chronic health issues.
- It helps to reduce the spread of the virus to others.
For those 65 and older, specific types of the vaccine are recommended and can be administered by their healthcare provider. They should consider getting vaccinated in September or October so the vaccine will be effective for more of the flu season.
- The Tetanus vaccine, which protects against tetanus as well as diphtheria and/or whooping cough, is recommended for adults every ten years to provide protection from these bacterial infections.
Additional Vaccines Recommended for Adults 50 and Over
- A Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PCV (better known as a “pneumonia vaccine”), is recommended for the prevention of a number of illnesses that can be caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Illnesses include pneumonia, meningitis, sinusitis, and certain infections of the ear or blood.
- A doctor can determine the best version of the vaccine for each individual’s needs. These vaccines are also widely available and covered by insurance.
- The Shingles (zoster) vaccine is recommended for adults over 50. Two doses of the Shingrix vaccine, administered 2-6 months apart, help to reduce the risk of shingles for adults whether or not they have ever had chickenpox (a related zoster virus). The vaccine is quite effective and is available at most pharmacies at no cost with insurance. Side effects are usually minimal and related to pain or discomfort at the injection site.
- For all adults 75 and over, and for some over the age of 60, an RSV vaccine is also recommended. This one-dose vaccine protects against respiratory syncytial virus infection, which causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most patients but which can escalate in the elderly or very young. This vaccine is strongly suggested for those who live in any long-term care facility. Of course, a doctor can provide recommendations and a prescription for the right version of the RSV vaccine.
Which Vaccines Are Right For You?
Still not sure which vaccines to consider? The CDC has a simple Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool that can be used to determine which vaccines are recommended for an individual’s needs based on age, health conditions, and more. This tool provides helpful information to understand the vaccines and how they work to prevent illness. The results can offer a good starting point, but the best source of information is always a trusted healthcare provider. Contact your medical professional to discuss your loved one’s individual needs and ensure they are protected.
National Senior Citizens Day
Also happening in August, on the 21st of the month, we celebrate National Senior Citizens Day! This day was established to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of seniors. What better way to celebrate our elderly population than by ensuring they continue to thrive with the help of up-to-date immunizations and the right kind of daily support?
When President Regan signed Proclamation 5847 to establish National Senior Citizens Day in 1988, he said, “For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older — places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.”
Granny Nannies of Miami is committed to those principles and is ready to help provide the assistance and care our seniors need. For us, every day is National Senior Citizens Day! Find more information about the in-home services our certified care professionals provide for your loved ones when they are healthy and when they need some extra care. Let’s work together to celebrate our seniors and give them the dignified care they deserve.