Your Best Shot
August 20, 2024 | General, Health & Wellness, Resources
National Immunization Awareness Month
As we celebrate National Immunization Awareness Month this August, it’s the perfect time to discuss the importance of vaccines, especially for our senior community. Vaccinations play a critical role in keeping everyone healthy, from children heading back to school to older adults preparing for the winter months.
Here are the top five questions people often have about vaccines, along with their answers, and which vaccines are particularly recommended for seniors.
1. Why are vaccines important?
Vaccines are essential because they protect against diseases that can be severe or even life-threatening. They work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens. For seniors, whose immune systems may be weaker, vaccines are crucial in preventing illnesses that can lead to serious complications. Over the last 50 years, vaccines have saved approximately 154 million lives globally. They’re one of the most cost-effective health investments: For every dollar invested in vaccines, the United States receives about $54 in societal benefits.
2. Are vaccines safe?
Yes, vaccines are safe. They undergo rigorous testing in clinical trials and are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness. In fact, the United States has a long-standing vaccine safety system to ensure vaccine safety. While mild side effects like soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever are common, they usually resolve quickly. Every U.S. scientific authority, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention down to each state health department, recommends routine vaccination. When the COVID-19 vaccination was created, 95% of doctors who were offered the vaccine took it.
3. How do vaccines work?
Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated parts of a disease. Don’t worry: Vaccines don’t contain enough of the disease to cause the illness, but there is enough so the body creates an immune response. This response includes making antibodies, which specifically target and fight the disease; the response also ensures the body remembers the disease so it can fight it again in the future if it needs to. That’s why when a vaccinated person later encounters the disease, their immune system can quickly recognize and combat it.
4. Why do I need to repeat the same vaccinations?
Some viruses and diseases can change rapidly or over time; for other diseases, the immunity from the vaccination may wear off over time. For example, the flu virus changes rapidly with new strains occurring each year. The annual flu shot is updated to include the strains predicted to be likely circulating. On the other hand, Tetanus boosters are required at least every 10 years. The boosters help ensure there are plenty of antibodies to neutralize the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani in case an infection starts. Then, for some like COVID-19, there is a combination of new variants and waning immunity.
5. Is it safe to get more than one vaccine at the same time?
It is safe to receive multiple vaccines during the same visit. Dr. Daniel Sullivan of the Cleveland Clinic explains, “It’s been shown both in studies and in general use that getting more than one vaccine in a day is completely safe.” Plus, it’s a convenient way to stay up to date on immunizations without needing multiple appointments. But multiple vaccinations do mean multiple shots at the same time – vaccines aren’t bundled into one dose. Just remember that there may be more possible side effects.
So, now that you know the facts, which vaccines should seniors get? Here are the five to make sure you have:
- Influenza (flu): To protect against the seasonal, annual flu.
- Pneumococcal: To prevent pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis.
- Shingles: To prevent shingles and its complications.
- Tdap: To protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
- COVID-19: To prevent COVID-19 and reduce the severity of symptoms if infected.
Of course, you should always consult with your doctor first before you get any vaccination.
As we approach the start of the school year and the colder months, getting vaccinated becomes even more crucial. Students can bring illnesses home to more vulnerable family members. Vaccinations are a cornerstone of public health, providing protection and peace of mind for everyone. They’re your best shot for keeping yourselves and your loved ones safe and healthy.
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Sources: Health.gov; WHO; One; CDC; Immunize.org; The Washington Post; HHS; National Academies; Yale Medicine;
