Vital Advice on Senior Health – Episode 7
Last Updated on March 29, 2024 by Brenda
The Podcast tapped into the Expertise of LaDonna Chacon, a certified nurse practitioner at Presbyterian Medical Services Quay County Family Health Center. LaDonna is also an instructor at Eastern New Mexico University in the BSN Nurse Completion program. Our Senior Populations is often more vulnerable to many of the illnesses that spread in a community. Vaccinations have been developed to help their immune system fight illnesses.
No vaccine is 100% effective in preventing an illness, but most are very effective in preventing death from an illness as with the case of the flu vaccine. Vaccines are very safe, and they can help keep you from getting serious or life-threatening diseases. The most common side effects for all these vaccines are mild and may include pain, swelling, or redness where the vaccine was given. Before getting any vaccine, talk with a doctor or pharmacist about your health history, including past illnesses and treatments, as well as any allergies. A health care provider can address any concerns you have.
To get reliable information about vaccines your first stop should be your health care provider. They know your health history and risk levels for various illnesses and can best explain how a vaccine might affect you. The next best source is the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. This site has the latest information and updates with the latest research. New Mexico has a website with information on vaccinations and availability. Many other states have similar sites. Your pharmacist may also have information about possible conflicts between a vaccination and the medications you are currently taking. These are the top sources of information. If you are looking for additional information, consider reviewing sites from medical institutions. Here is some information on vaccinations recommended for Seniors.
COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that causes symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older adults are more likely than younger people to get very sick from COVID-19. The disease can lead to serious illness and death. Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of getting this disease. The vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill or having to go to the hospital if you do get COVID-19.
The CDC recommends that older adults stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots. Read more about COVID-19 vaccines from the CDC. In Quay County you may get this vaccine at the Public Health Department. You may also get it at larger pharmacies. The vaccine is covered by your insurance.
Flu vaccine
Influenza (Flu) is a virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, and muscle aches. Flu is very serious when it gets into your lungs. Older adults are at a higher risk for developing serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.
The flu passes easily from person to person. The virus also changes over time, which means you can get it again. To ensure flu vaccines remain effective, the vaccine is updated every year. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine. The protection from a flu vaccine can lessen with time, especially in older adults, so it is recommended to get your vaccine in October each year, but if you missed it, you may get the vaccine at any time as Flu season peaks in January. A flu vaccine is especially important if you have a chronic health condition such as heart disease or diabetes. As long as the flu virus is spreading, getting vaccinated will help protect you.
There are flu vaccines designed specifically for older adults. The CDC recommends that people age 65 and older receive a higher-dose flu vaccine or an adjuvanted flu vaccine (one with an additional ingredient called an adjuvant that helps create a stronger immune response). These vaccines are potentially more effective than the standard flu vaccine for people in this age group. Talk with a health care provider or pharmacist about which vaccine is best for you. Medicare and health insurance will pay for the vaccine, and it is available at your local health care provider.
RSV vaccine for older adults
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, older adults have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms if they are infected with RSV. The illness can be particularly dangerous for people who have chronic diseases or a weakened immune system. Older adults who get very sick from an RSV infection may need to be hospitalized, and the illness can even be life-threatening.
RSV vaccines are available to protect older adults from the serious health problems that can occur with RSV infection. The CDC recommends that adults 60 years and older talk with their health care provider about whether they should receive the RSV vaccine. Like the flu, RSV infections are most common in the fall and winter months, so consider getting vaccinated before RSV season starts. However, you can benefit from the RSV vaccine at any time of year. In Quay County you may get your RSV vaccine at Mesa Winds Pharmacy. Medicare Part D and private health insurance plans may pay some or all of the cost.
Vaccines to help prevent pneumonia
Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection that spreads from person to person by air. It often causes pneumonia in the lungs and it can affect other parts of the body. Older adults are at higher risk than younger people of getting very sick or dying from pneumococcal disease.
The CDC recommends that all adults age 65 and older get pneumococcal vaccination. This vaccine helps protect you from getting a serious infection, including pneumonia. There are multiple forms of the pneumococcal vaccine: Talk to a health care provider to find out which is best for you. If you have a risk factor such as obesity or diabetes, you provider may encourage you to get a vaccine when you are younger than 65. You should then get another vaccine at 65. Medicare will pay for the pneumococcal vaccine, as will many private insurance plans. You can get the vaccine at a doctor’s office.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are diseases caused by bacteria that can lead to serious illness and death. Tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw) is caused by bacteria found in soil, dust, and manure. It can enter the body through a deep cut or burn. Diphtheria is a serious illness that can affect the tonsils, throat, nose, or skin. It can spread from person to person. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, causes uncontrollable, violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It can spread from person to person.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Most people get vaccinated as children, but you also need booster shots as you get older to stay protected against these diseases. The CDC recommends that adults get a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) booster shot every 10 years. Ask your health care provider when you need your booster shot. You can get the Tdap or Td vaccine at a doctor’s office. Medicare Part D and private health insurance plans may pay some or all the cost. Check with Medicare or your health plan for details about coverage.
Shingles vaccine for older adults
Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. If you had chickenpox, the virus is still in your body. As you get older, the virus could become active again and cause shingles. Shingles affects the nerves. Common symptoms include burning, shooting pain, tingling, and/or itching, as well as a rash with fluid-filled blisters. Even when the rash disappears, the pain can remain. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia, or PHN.
The shingles vaccine is safe, and it may keep you from getting shingles and PHN. Healthy adults aged 50 and older should get vaccinated with the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, which is given in two doses. (Zostavax, an earlier shingles vaccine, is no longer available in the United States.) You should get a shingles vaccine even if you’ve already had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, or if you don’t remember whether you had chickenpox. You should also get the shingles vaccine if you’ve already had shingles. However, you should not get a vaccine if you currently have shingles, are sick or have a fever, have a weakened immune system, or have had an allergic reaction to Shingrix. Check with a health care provider if you are not sure what to do. Visit with your local provider to find out how to get the vaccine locally. Medicare Part D and private health insurance plans may pay some or all the cost. Check with Medicare or your health plan for details about coverage.
Learn to be your own health advocate and keep records of illnesses, injuries, surgeries and allergies. Keep your own vaccination record, listing the types and dates of your shots, along with any side effects or problems. Be sure your family knows where this record is and share it with any new health care provider.
National Institute on Aging –Vaccinations and Older Adults | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
