National Immunization Awareness Month is an annual observance held every August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages, especially 65+. During NIAM, we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider to ensure you’re current on all recommended vaccines for your age group.
As we begin to wind down on summer, it’s the perfect time to schedule your seasonal flu vaccine and make sure you’re up to date on other vaccines that help to protect you against respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 or pneumonia. These conditions tend to be more common during the fall and winter months, so you want to be sure you take the necessary preventative measures ahead of time.
Recommended Vaccines for Older Adults
Vaccines are an important preventative measure that helps to protect yourself and those around you. As we get older, our immune system undergoes dramatic age-related changes. It becomes slower to respond and is much more easily compromised if and when exposed to disease, resulting in slower recovery from injuries, infection, and illness. This is because your body produces fewer immune cells, including white blood cells, with age.
For this very reason, it is vital that you are current on all recommended vaccines. There are five vaccines adults age 65 and older should consider to prevent certain diseases:
- Influenza (flu) vaccine
- Pneumonia vaccine
- Shingles vaccine
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccine
How Vaccines Work
Vaccines don’t provide you with complete immunity, but they do offer you additional much-needed protection.
- Vaccines help support the body’s natural immune system to fight off diseases.
- Vaccines stimulate your body to make antibodies specific to a disease.
- If you get infected with that disease in the future, your antibodies recognize it and help to
protect you.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
VIPcare primary care providers often get asked who should get vaccinated. Simply put, everyone six months and older should get the annual flu vaccine. There are some exceptions, such as those with a severe egg allergy. However, this is a conversation you should always have with your provider. The same goes for all other vaccines. It’s best to consult with your provider.
If you’re concerned about whether the flu vaccine is safe or not, don’t be. The flu vaccine has a good safety record and has been extensively researched by researchers, doctors, and health organizations. Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50 years. Again, this is another reason you should always consult your provider. They know your health and can provide a safe recommendation based on your specific healthcare needs.
Schedule Your Flu Vaccine Today
Prevention leads to Better Health, and vaccinations are one step you can take on your journey to Better Health. They’re quick, safe, and proven effective. Now’s the time to schedule your vaccination so you’re ready for the upcoming flu season. Call your local VIPcare provider today or 866-926-3831 to find a clinic near you. In honor of National Immunization Awareness Month, get your flu shot today!