Health Topics for Aging

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Immunizations for seniors

Most people think that immunizations are only for children. However, immunizations are also an important part of healthcare for older adults.

Adults who have never had or been immunized for measles or mumps should be immunized, because these diseases can be devastating for older adults.

Pneumococcal pneumonia immunization protects you against a bacterial pneumonia. It is recommended for all adults over the age of 65. Anyone younger than age 65 who has HIV or diabetes, is alcoholic, or has a chronic liver, heart, lung, or renal disease, should get the vaccination. Anyone age 65 or older should get a booster shot if they received the vaccination over 5 years ago.

An annual flu shot is recommended for all older adults. This is especially important for older adults because the flu can cause major complications, hospitalization, and death, especially in those people who are in 'poor' health. The older adults who receive the flu shot get a 50 to 60 percent protection from hospitalization due to complications, and 80 percent prevention from flu-related deaths. The best time for getting your flu shot is from October through mid-November.

Tetanus immunization is recommended every ten years for adults who have no injury which breaks the skin during that time. This is especially important for older adults, since they have thinner skin and may be more vulnerable to tetanus-infected cuts and puncture wounds. Call your healthcare provider if you have a puncture wound or injury that breaks the skin and you have not had a tetanus immunization or booster in 5 years.

If you are traveling to areas that have polio or hepatitis A, you will need to be immunized for these even if you already were as a child. Any time you are leaving the country, ask your healthcare provider about any immunizations you should have. This is important for people of all ages, but especially so for older adults who may not survive the illness related to these diseases.

Immunizations can sometimes have mild side effects like fever or soreness. However, it's generally well worth the discomfort to get the protection. Ask your healthcare provider what to expect after receiving an immunization and follow his or her instructions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have set up several hotlines that provide immunization information by phone, fax, or mail. Call 1-800-CDC-SHOT. Their National Immunization Information Hotline number is 1-800-232-2522 for English, or 1-800-232-0233 for Spanish.

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