ELDER CARE
Recommended immunizations for those age 50 plus
Routine immunizations
can keep people safe and
healthy. Certain vaccinations
can prevent diseases from
producing symptoms, while
others can lessen the duration
of an illness or make conditions
less severe.
Vaccination schedules
become a way of life for
parents to young children. But
vaccinations aren’t just for
kids, and adults should keep
tabs on their immunization
histories to ensure they’re
up-to-date with vaccinations
for their particular age group
and lifestyle.
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
warns that the elderly
are more likely to die of a
vaccine-preventable disease
than other age groups. The
immune system begins to
decline as we age, so the body
can benefit from the diseasefighting
boost provided by
vaccinations. Individuals
at any age should discuss
immunizations with their
doctors, but it’s a particularly
important conversation for
those age 50 and older.
Vaccine schedules and
recommendations may
vary depending on where
a person lives, but the
following immunization
recommendations are offered
courtesy of the Centers.
Influenza: An annual
flu shot can help prevent the
nearly 36,000 deaths that
occur due to flu each year
in the United States. The flu
vaccine is designed to combat
the current strain of flu, so
it is recommended anytime
between September to March,
which is the prime flu season.
People age 50 and older
should opt for the injection
rather than the nasal form of
the vaccine.
Tdap: This vaccine
protects against tetanus,
diphtheria, and pertussis and
is especially necessary for
people who have close contact
with young infants. Pertussis,
or whooping cough, can be
The immune system begins to decline as we age, so the body can benefit from the disease-fighting
boost provided by vaccinations.
passed on to youngsters and
make them very ill. If you’ve
never received a Tdap vaccine,
the Centers suggests getting
it at least once. Individual
tetanus boosters should be
received every 10 years.
P n e u m o c o c c a l :
Pneumococcal disease is
an infection caused by the
pneumococcus bacteria. It
can cause pneumonia, blood
infection, ear infections, and
even bacterial meningitis.
This vaccine is given to
adults age 65 and older or
to younger adults at their
physicians’ discretion.
Hepatitis A: Individuals
with medical, occupational or
lifestyle conditions, such as
healthcare workers or people
with chronic liver disease,
may need a two-dose series of
the hepatitis A vaccine.
Adults who are avid
travelers to various parts
of the world that may
bring them in contact with
animals or people who do
not receive the same course
of immunizations may need
additional vaccines.
Speak with a doctor about
which immunizations are
recommended before travel.
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