Column: Five important vaccines for people ages 65 and over - what are they
People over 65 are considered a vulnerable population when it comes to illness and disease. Due to the natural changes in our bodies, the immune system weakens and it can take longer to recover from common illnesses quickly like younger adults can. These illnesses can result in more long-term effects, too.
One way to protect yourself if you fall into this age group is to consider vaccines. There are five recommended vaccines for people over 65: Influenza (flu) vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, tetanus/pertussis vaccine, shingles vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine.
As we get older, we start to see more issues with our overall health. Diagnosis of chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes start to happen too. As these changes take place, our health habits and preventative measures should change too, so that we receive healthcare to best serve our needs. There are many things that can be done to protect ourselves as we age, including preventative vaccines.
Why should this age group get the vaccines?
Statistically most people above 65 have co- morbidities. This means they have multiple diagnosed health issues they are being treated for. Having multiple diseases alone puts you at a greater risk of poor outcomes when you get illnesses like the flu, pneumonia or COVID-19. Trying to prevent these illnesses, or at least reducing the intensity of symptoms if you do get them, is why these vaccines are recommended. Vaccines can also help curb the spread of these diseases to others.
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone, but especially those over 65. This decreases the chances of getting the flu, and in the event you do get the flu, can greatly decrease the symptoms of the flu. Getting the vaccine yearly can also help stop the spread of the flu to others. As we get older, our bodies have a harder time fighting the influenza virus and the risk for complications increases. When other diseases are present, the flu can lead to hospitalization and even death.
Pneumonia is an illness of the lungs. This illness can lead to the need for oxygen and hospitalization with IV antibiotics, and sometimes the need for a ventilator. With comorbidities in the older population, it can even lead to death. There are two pneumonia vaccines; your doctor will help you determine which one is right for you.
Shingles can be debilitating and is painful
Shingles is a condition that develops red, fluid-filled blisters that eventually crust over. Shingles can be debilitating and is very painful. Medications are typically needed to treat shingles, and can take months to completely resolve. Your risk of getting shingles as you age increases, especially if you had chickenpox, because shingles is caused by the same virus and remains dormant in our bodies for decades. The two dose shingles vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles.
The tetanus/pertussis vaccine prevents against whooping cough and tetanus. Whooping cough is a respiratory infection that causes a severe cough. Tetanus is an illness that you can be exposed to from soil, dust, manure and things like rusted nails. These are two easily preventable diseases that the vulnerable population, like those individuals over 65, may have severe complications from if they were to contract them.
COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus. It is primarily spread through close person-to-person contact. Age, having other diseases, and the ability to fight infection can make the outcomes worse in the case of COVID-19. The vaccine can significantly reduce symptoms and improve outcomes.
Ultimately the decision to get a vaccine is up to the individual, but talking with your doctor about the importance of these vaccines is a good place to start, especially if you fall into that over 65 population. If you already have a provider, call and schedule an appointment to discuss your needs for vaccinations. If you need a provider, you can call UH Samaritan Medical Center at 419-289-0491 to schedule an appointment, or visit uhhopsitals.org to choose one of our local providers.
Christina Vanderpool is the Community Outreach Nurse and University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Column: Five vaccines to benefit those over 65; what are they
