Vaccines for older adults: A simple step toward healthy aging

Lots of things change as you grow older, including how long it takes to fight off a common cold or finally get that scraped knee to heal. That’s because as you hit age 65 and beyond, your immune system begins to lose some of its strength, leaving you with fewer of the cells your body needs to fight off infections.

There are many simple things you can do daily to give your immune system a boost, including eating a diet rich in healthy foods, staying active, sleeping well and managing your stress levels. But there’s another important way to boost your immune system — staying up-to-date on your vaccinations.

Here’s how vaccines support healthy aging:

Which vaccines matter most after 65

Vaccines are part of a complete healthy aging plan, and the National Council on Aging recommends older adults get the following vaccines:

• An annual flu shot, which is proven to lower hospitalization rates and serious illness from the flu for older adults. It’s important to get one each year, usually in the fall, as the flu virus can change and the vaccine is updated annually.
• The shingles vaccine, a two-dose vaccination taken two to six months apart, for adults over 50. The virus that causes shingles can be especially debilitating for older adults. Complications include severe pain, loss of vision, dementia and an increased risk of heart disease.
• The pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against bacterial infections that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections. The vaccine is proven to lower the risk of dying for older adults who are hospitalized for pneumonia. Most adults need a single shot, but some may need additional doses depending on their health history.
• The RSV vaccine, which was approved in 2023 and protects against a contagious virus that can lead to infections in our lungs and airways. In its first year of use in the United States, the vaccine was 92 percent effective at protecting adults 60 and older from getting severely ill with respiratory illness.

Older adults are encouraged to speak with their healthcare providers about receiving COVID-19 vaccinations annually, along with the vaccine for Hepatitis B, according to the National Council on Aging. A vaccine against tetanus is recommended every 10 years.

Staying vaccinated means staying independent

While vaccines are proven to protect older adults from serious illness, complications and even death, they offer another important benefit — supporting their independence and overall quality of life.

If you’re current on your vaccinations, you are more likely to avoid lengthy hospital stays and can bounce back quickly from an illness, instead of potentially facing weeks or months of slow recovery (which could include prolonged bed rest).

As a result, you’re more likely to hold on to your strength and mobility after an illness, and return more quickly to the things you love most — whether that’s spending time with grandkids, playing cards with friends or volunteering in the community.

Finally, while vaccinations protect you, they also protect those around you (loved ones and friends) by reducing the chances you’ll catch and spread an illness to them.

What’s fact, what’s fiction — and when to ask your doctor

Plenty of misconceptions are swirling around all vaccinations these days — including the ones for older adults. Some believe immunizations are just for young children. They aren’t. In fact, some vaccinations (like the shingles and RSV vaccines) are designed specifically for those 65 and up.

Others worry that the vaccines themselves could make them sick, giving them the flu or another illness. They won’t. The flu shot, for example, can come with some mild side effects, such as soreness, a headache or low-grade fever. But as CDC experts say, those are simply side effects from the vaccine and are often short-lived.

Some even wonder if vaccines could worsen chronic disease. But experts say the opposite is true. Those with chronic illness should make immunizations a priority, since it helps keep up defenses against viruses and bacteria that could make them even sicker.

If you have questions or concerns about whether and when you should get vaccinated, your primary care provider can provide personalized information — and peace of mind — as you decide the best course for your best health.

At ArchWell Health, we staff our centers with knowledgeable healthcare providers who can answer your questions about the vaccinations available to you. They may also be able to administer vaccines right there in the office and help ensure you remain protected in all the seasons of your life.