By Alice Benjamin, MSN, ACNS-BC, FNP-C
When was the last time you checked to see if you were up to date on your vaccines?
For many of us, vaccines feel like something we dealt with years ago as a child for school requirements, or maybe you recall a more recent experience with the introduction of the Covid vaccines at the top of the pandemic. Either way, vaccines remain an important part of preventive health care throughout adulthood, and some become even more important as we get older.
Our immune system changes with age and may not respond to infections as strongly as it once did. Health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease can also make certain infections harder to fight and recover from. Vaccines give your immune system a preview of what to look for so it can respond more effectively if you’re exposed. They may not prevent every infection, but it can reduce your risk of serious illness, complications, and hospitalization.
So, which vaccines should adults be thinking about, especially as we enter the winter season? Here are five of the big ones.
Flu: More than a bad cold
It’s easy to think of the flu as a miserable week in bed, but influenza can become much more serious as we age. It can lead to pneumonia, worsen existing medical conditions, result in hospitalization, and even result in death for some. That’s why getting a flu vaccine every year remains an important part of preventive care.
Adults 65 and older should also know that certain flu vaccines are preferred for their age group because they are designed to produce a stronger immune response. And if you’ve ever thought, “I got a flu shot and still got the flu, so why bother?” remember that preventing infection is only part of the goal. Vaccination can also reduce your chances of becoming severely ill if you do get influenza.
COVID-19: Keeping up with changing recommendations
If you’ve lost track of how many COVID vaccines you’ve received or whether you need another one, you’re in good company. Recommendations have changed over time as we’ve learned more about the virus, immunity, and who is most at risk.
Current recommendations consider factors such as your age, health history, previous vaccinations, and risk for severe COVID-19. This is especially important for older adults and people with medical conditions that increase their risk. Rather than trying to keep track of every update yourself, ask your health care provider or pharmacist to review your vaccination history and current recommendations with you.
Shingles: Chickenpox can come back years later
If you had chickenpox when you were younger, the virus that caused it can remain inactive in your nervous system for decades. Later in life, it can reactivate as shingles, which typically causes a painful, blistering rash.
For some people, the pain doesn’t disappear when the rash does. Shingles can cause postherpetic neuralgia, a type of nerve pain that may continue for months or even years. About one in three people in the United States will develop shingles during their lifetime, and the risk increases with age.
Adults 50 and older are recommended to receive two doses of the Shingrix vaccine. It is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia in healthy adults 50 and older. Even if you’ve already had shingles, vaccination is still recommended.
Pneumonia: One word, many causes
There isn’t one vaccine that prevents every type of pneumonia because pneumonia can be caused by different viruses, bacteria and even fungi. Pneumococcal vaccines protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacteria that can cause pneumonia as well as other serious infections.
Routine pneumococcal vaccination now begins at age 50 for people who haven’t previously received certain pneumococcal vaccines or whose vaccination history is unknown. Which vaccine you need can depend on what you’ve received in the past, so don’t worry about trying to memorize all the names and combinations. At your next appointment, simply ask, “Am I up to date on my pneumococcal vaccines?”
RSV: It’s not just an illness in babies
Respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV, is often associated with babies and young children. But RSV can also cause serious respiratory illness in older adults, particularly those with underlying health conditions.
RSV vaccination is recommended for all adults 75 and older. Adults ages 50 to 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV illness may also be candidates. Risk can be higher for people with certain heart or lung conditions, complicated diabetes, weakened immune systems and other health concerns.
Unlike the flu vaccine, RSV vaccination is not currently an annual shot. If you’ve already received an RSV vaccine, another dose is not currently recommended.
Don’t Forget the Other Vaccines
Flu, COVID-19, shingles, pneumococcal disease and RSV get a lot of attention, but they aren’t the only vaccines adults may need. Adults should receive a Tdap vaccine if they’ve never had one, followed by a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years. Depending on your age, health history and other circumstances, additional vaccines may also be recommended.
The good news is you don’t have to memorize the adult vaccination schedule. Make reviewing your vaccines part of your regular health routine, just like checking your blood pressure, cholesterol or recommended screenings. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist what you’re due for, whether recommendations have changed, and whether anything about your health puts you at greater risk. You can also review Centers of Disease Control and Prevention federal vaccine recommendations, but just know that some states bypass restricted federal directives and instead align their public health recommendations directly with respected national professional organizations like the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
If you can’t remember which vaccines you’ve already received, your medical records, pharmacy records, or state immunization registry may help fill in the blanks.
Healthy aging isn’t just about living longer. It’s about staying healthy enough to enjoy those years, maintain your independence, and keep doing the things that matter to you. Vaccines are one of the tools we have to help make that possible. They are one way of giving your immune system a little extra preparation, which can go a long way toward helping you stay well.
***The information shared in this article is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911. Always consult your healthcare provider for any medical concerns, and do not delay seeking professional advice based on the content found on this website. AARP is not responsible for the consequences of any decisions or actions taken in reliance upon or as a result of the information provided.***
