Vaccines save lives on a massive scale, according to stats from the World Health Organization. Global immunization prevents an estimated 3.5 to 5 million deaths every year, but to seniors in Melbourne, FL, it's more than just an abstract figure. It represents personal protection that could quite literally save your life.
Adults over the age of 65 bear the heaviest burden from diseases preventable by vaccines. For example, think about an illness like the flu. When it's lethal, it mostly affects seniors. Thankfully, local health care organizations and senior living communities are working to protect local seniors.
If you're interested in learning more about the importance of vaccinations, and National Immunization Awareness Month.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to put local senior health into focus. It's when seniors should review their vaccinations with their physician and make sure they're up to date. The goal of National Immunization Awareness Month is simple and quite achievable: to have fewer seniors with severe illnesses and fewer hospital stays.
Seniors face much higher risks of illness complications. For example, seniors who get the flu often end up with pneumonia. Various illnesses can also interact with chronic conditions, potentially causing pain, discomfort, and generally lowering the quality of life.
As we age, the immune system isn't as effective, which makes infections likely to be more severe and recovery from those infections much slower.
Local immunization clinics here in Florida and vaccination drives at local senior living communities make sure that locals who are over the age of 65 can get the vaccinations they need. So, let's look at some of the most common vaccines that local seniors might need to get this year.
Everyone's health is unique, so your physician will consider your personal medical history and current health conditions when recommending vaccines. However, in general, older adults should consider receiving the following vaccinations:
When in doubt about what you or a loved one needs, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Flu vaccines are one of the best ways for local seniors to protect themselves against complications from the flu. According to GoodRx, adults aged 65 or over need to get one of the high-dose variants on flu shots. These flu shots are desirable for seniors because they give a much bigger boost to the immune system.
These high-strength vaccines are known for consistently reducing the hospitalization rate for seniors, and they achieve this benefit without causing any serious side effects. Seniors who live in a senior living community are more at risk from the flu than the average person because they're in close proximity to other people.
If cases of flu start going around these communities, the consequences can be pretty serious, particularly for residents who, for whatever reason, are unable to get a vaccine themselves.
For seniors, shingles can be extremely painful and, in some cases, can even result in long-term nerve damage. There is a higher risk for seniors who live in senior living communities because they are close to other people.
Thankfully, shingles vaccines offer a highly effective way to prevent this disease. Most adults over the age of 65 will need two doses, spaced a few months apart, to achieve full immunity.
You can easily get both shots and keep your immunization records up to date with the help of immunization clinics in Allen and senior living communities. Most side effects from shingles vaccines are mild, short-lived, and limited to things like arm pain or feeling a bit tired. Seniors who are uncertain about the most effective shingles prevention strategies should seek the advice of their family doctor or another healthcare professional.
Seniors are susceptible to pneumonia and hospitalizations as a result of RSV, particularly during the autumn and winter months. People over the age of 65, especially those with heart, lung, or immune system problems, may only need one RSV shot.
These vaccines are recognized for their ability to decrease the number of hospitalizations among seniors and are generally well-tolerated, with only minor, temporary side effects such as tiredness.
Local seniors should protect their peers and family by getting the recommended RSV vaccination.
While the COVID-19 pandemic is long gone and the lockdowns are just a distant and unpleasant memory, that doesn't mean that seniors can't benefit from the COVID-19 vaccination. While the more serious variants are less of a risk, seniors are still vulnerable to the virus, particularly during the peak of respiratory illness season.
According to the CDC, seniors are advised to get two COVID-19 vaccinations, with the doses being six months apart. This contrasts with younger people, who are generally only expected to get one vaccination per season. If you've been recently infected by COVID-19, you're supposed to wait a few months before getting your dose to ensure maximum immunity coverage.
As you've seen from these adult immunization tips, vaccines are not abstract statistics; they have a real impact on seniors in Melbourne, FL. When seniors keep their shots up to date, it reduces hospital stays, protects friends and family, and keeps them active.
During National Immunization Awareness Month, you should talk with your physician, visit local clinics, and stay up-to-date on vaccinations.
The senior living community we've created at Discovery Village Melbourne enables its residents to retain their independence while still receiving assistance and adult immunization tips when required. Are you interested in finding out more about our options for independent living? Reach out to us today to arrange a tour.