Staying up-to-date on vaccines is an essential preventive measure to help prevent serious illnesses. Five immunizations and vaccines are crucial for senior citizens—including residents of Geneva, Aurora, Plainfield, and Oswego, IL.
Why are immunizations and vaccines important for seniors? Experts at the Alliance for Aging Research, a non-profit organization that believes advances in research can help people live longer, happier, more productive lives, say that vaccine-preventable diseases can have a devastating effect on the elderly.
Below are the five essential vaccines for persons over the age of 65.
1. Flu (Influenza) Immunizations and Vaccines
One dose of the flu vaccine every year is advised for adults over 60 years old. Additionally, a higher dose or an adjuvanted flu vaccine is recommended for adults 65 years and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These then help increase the body's immune response in older adults.
People 65 years and older have a higher risk of developing serious complications from a seasonal flu infection, which may require hospitalization.
2. Covid-19 Vaccine
Staying up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccines is extremely important for seniors. Boosters help protect everyone as new variants emerge. For adults 50 years old and older, the CDC recommends two Covid-19 boosters.
Data has shown that the Covid-19 vaccine can help prevent individuals from contracting the virus. AARP reports that those who received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines showed a 94% reduced risk of Covid-19-related hospitalization.
Older adults also have fewer side effects from the Covid-19 vaccines than younger people.
3. Pneumonia Vaccine
Pneumonia vaccines are not annual. If you are over 65 years old, you should follow the recommended dosing schedule. The CDC recommends following their dosing schedule. According to the CDC, there are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available in the U.S.—Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20) and the Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23).
The CDC recommends a dosing schedule depending on the type of pneumonia vaccine and whether or not you have already received one.
Here Are the CDC’s Guidelines for These Immunizations and Vaccines:
- For adults 65 years or older who have not previously received a pneumonia vaccine, or if you are unsure whether you had one—get one dose of the PCV15 or PCV20 vaccine. (If you receive PCV15, you will also need a dose of PPSV23 at least one year later.)
- Adults 65 years or older who have previously received PPSV23—wait at least one year and then get one dose of PCV15 or PCV20.
- For adults 65 years or older who have only received PCV13—get one dose of PPSV23. If it's not available, then get one dose of PCV20.
4. Shingles (Varicella Zoster) Vaccine
The Shingrix vaccine is recommended for adults over 50 to prevent shingles. If you already had shingles, this vaccine can help prevent you from getting it again. Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which stays dormant in your body after recovering from either disease. The virus can reactivate at any time, causing shingles.
A different shingles immunization and vaccine called Zostavax was available in the U.S. before November 2020, but it is no longer used. If you already had this vaccine, you should still get Shingrix, according to the CDC's guidelines.
5. Tdap Vaccine—Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
The Tdap vaccine refers to the booster shot that continues to protect adults against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Typically, all children receive the version of this vaccine called DTaP. If you've never had it, it's, indeed, important to get it. After your initial dose, the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health recommend that every adult get a Tdap booster every ten years.
Where to Get These Immunizations and Vaccines in IL
There are numerous places where senior residents of Geneva, Aurora, Plainfield, and Oswego, IL, can get all the important immunizations and vaccines. Thus, making it easy to stay up to date on your immunizations. Visit your healthcare provider or a pharmacy, such as CVS or Walgreens. Or, the Illinois Department of Health provides more resources, and refer to the AgeGuide for Northeastern Illinois, where you can look up resources by county. Contact us at Senior Helpers Aurora-Geneva to learn more.