Senior Spotlight: Immunization Awareness Month
Did you know that those aged 65 and over are at the highest risk for vaccine preventable diseases?
As our Senior Spotlight continues to embrace aging in the healthiest and happiest ways possible, we wanted to draw attention to this month as National Immunization Awareness Month. Before we dive into the facts, we want to make it clear this is not a pro or anti-vaccine debate – this is simply raising awareness about what immunizations are available and which you may choose to ask your doctor about. We provide the information, what to do with it is entirely up to you!
While most people think of vaccines as a ‘kids’ topic’, John Muir Health reports that 45,000 adults die annually from complications due to vaccine-preventable diseases. Those aged 65 and older are at highest risk of complications from many of these diareses.
The immunizations that seniors should ask their doctors about are: influenza, pneumonia, shingles (there are several types and this vaccine has been updated recently!) and Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis/Tdap).
Did You Know:
- During 2010-2020, between 87,816 to 540,517 flu-related hospitalizations among people 65 years or older were estimated each year in the United States. (Flu Defense/Immunize.org)
- Each year, an estimated one million older adults are hospitalized with pneumonia or related complications. (West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation Center)
- About one million individuals get shingles every year and half of the population who lives to 85 years of age will experience shingles during their lifetime; your risk increases with each year of age. (National Foundation For Infectious Diseases)
- Pertussis (whopping cough) has been on the rise in the US; many older adults have not received the 2005 Tdap vaccine which replaces previous versions and offers additional protection against whooping cough. (AARP)
The US Department of Health & Human Services reminds us that as we get older, our immune system gets weaker and we are less susceptible to fight off infections. Ongoing conditions such as heart disease and diabetes can increase the risks associated with many diseases. The CDC offers this vaccine scheduling tool that you can use as a guide to talk to your doctor when discussing vaccine recommendations. Another helpful resource is this AARP guide which lists vaccines needed after age 50 as well what to ask your doctor about each vaccine.
Knowledge is power and in honor of National Immunization Awareness Month, be sure to consider your own vaccine history, risk factors and questions to ask your doctor. Your health matters more than anything!
Take care,
Bobbi Decker
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Broker Associate
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www.bobbidecker.com
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