Senior citizens in the Mesa, Arizona region prioritize their health to live their best lives. Part of a healthful lifestyle is keeping up with vaccines. We become more susceptible to illnesses as we age because our immune systems weaken. Some diseases are pretty severe for seniors and are preventable with vaccinations. Immunizations are an effective way to protect us from these diseases. Here, we will discuss vaccines a senior citizen should add to their care plan.
Influenza Vaccines
Influenza, or the flu, presents a higher risk of developing complications in older people. As we age, our immune defenses weaken, leaving us vulnerable to seasonal flu and its dangerous complications. Seniors can receive a yearly influenza vaccine to protect against this disease. Seniors in Apache Junction and surrounding areas can find this vaccine around the community, including in drug stores.
Pneumonia Vaccines
Experts recommend adults 65 years and older receive the pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccination requires two shots, each one year apart. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is usually followed by the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) the following year. The vaccinations protect you from a bacterial infection that can damage your lungs because of the inflammation associated with the disease. It may also cause meningitis, which infects the brain, and can cause bacteremia, which is an infection in the bloodstream. Receiving this vaccine is the best way to protect our seniors from these complications.
Shingles Vaccines
This vaccine, also known as the Recombinant Zoster vaccine, is recommended for adults 50 years and older. It is composed of two doses, received 2-6 months apart. Individuals who have had chickenpox can get shingles, a painful rash that can last for weeks. Sufferers often have fever and headaches as well. The same virus that causes chickenpox is responsible for shingles; the virus stays dormant in your body and may reactivate later in life. This vaccine is very effective in avoiding shingles.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccines
Experts agree that a common vaccine for children to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis is also recommended for adults. Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a bacteria that can enter the body through a cut or a burn and is often found in soil and manure. Diphtheria is a severe disease that affects the throat, nose, or skin and is contagious. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an infectious disease that causes uncontrollable coughing, often making breathing hard. Adults should receive a booster every ten years.
COVID-19 Vaccines
The COVID-19 respiratory disease is more likely to be serious for older adults. The condition can cause fever, cough, and breathing issues and lead to serious illness. The vaccine reduces the risk and helps minimize the sickness if you get the disease. The vaccination is readily available in and around Scottsdale. Guidelines for the vaccine vary depending on the type of vaccination. Here's a run-down of guidance for older adults:
- Pfizer-BioNTech: 2 doses, 3-8 weeks apart; fully vaccinated two weeks after the final dose. Boosters can be either Pfizer or Moderna, received five months after the last dose in the primary dosing. Experts recommend a second booster for adults 50 or older, received at least four months after the first booster.
- Moderna: 2 doses, 4-8 weeks apart; fully vaccinated two weeks after the final dose. The same guidance as above applies to boosting this vaccine series.
- Johnson & Johnson's Janssen: 1 dose, fully vaccinated two weeks later. Experts recommend the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine as a booster at least two months after the original vaccine. A second booster is recommended for adults 50 or older, at least four months after the first booster.
- Novavax: 2 doses, fully vaccinated after two weeks following the second dose. Experts do not have a recommendation for a booster.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. These immunizations are effective in protecting senior citizens from preventable diseases. Check out Senior Helpers in Mesa's blog about common infections that can affect seniors. For more information on how Senior Helpers in Mesa can help you, contact us today!