Receiving regular vaccinations is important for everyone’s health, especially older adults who are at risk for more complications from the seasonal flu and shingles. Vaccines can help build and maintain immunity from contracting a variety of diseases and viruses, including influenza, pneumonia and COVID-19.
If you contract one of these viruses, having a vaccine can prevent or lower your risk of developing serious symptoms that may require hospitalization or even lead to death. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, influenza and pneumonia are estimated to be the cause of death for 50– 60,000 people each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that just over 1 million people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S.
As we age, our immune system doesn’t work as effectively and previous immunity we may have built up can weaken. Older adults are more likely to experience serious complications from viruses and diseases, so it is important that older adults receive regular vaccinations. The following are common recommended vaccines for older adults:
