4 Shots Seniors Need This Fall

If you’re over 60, you know that good health is a precious commodity. Seasonal vaccinations can help you safeguard your health, providing immunity to diseases that can become serious if you’re not protected.

So, which shots are essential for seniors this fall? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend three seasonal vaccines for people over 60:

• Influenza (flu)
• COVID-19
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Here’s what you need to know about each one.

Flu Shot

Influenza is a contagious disease that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and stuffy or runny nose. Older adults are at higher risk of flu-related complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis and sinus infections.

To help protect yourself against these complications, it’s important to get an annual flu shot. Each year, there is an updated flu shot based on the strains seen the previous year.

There are different types of flu shots; talk to your provider about which one is right for you. ArchWell Health offers the Flucelvax brand vaccine in its centers. This vaccine does not contain a live virus, cannot cause the flu and does not carry any risk for people with egg allergies.

Wondering what the upcoming flu season will look like? Based on flu data from Australia, medical professionals are expecting a typical flu season in the U.S. this fall and winter — back to pre-COVID levels. For reference, in 2019-2020 (the season prior to COVID), there were an estimated 35 million flu-related illnesses, 16 million flu-related medical visits, 390,000 flu-related hospitalizations, and 25,000 flu-related deaths.

ArchWell Health recommends that all older adults get the annual flu shot between September 1 and March 31.

COVID Booster

While COVID-19 is not just a seasonal infection — people can get the virus all year long — a new booster is offered every fall based on the latest strain. The COVID booster does not contain a live virus.

Since COVID is still more deadly than the flu, and most COVID deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older, it’s crucial for older adults to stay up to date on their COVID vaccinations. The original COVID vaccines given in 2021 don’t provide protection from the newer strains.

ArchWell Health recommends that all older adults get the 2024 COVID-19 booster, available this September in every ArchWell Health center across the country.

RSV Vaccine

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is not a new infection (it hospitalizes babies and adults every winter and was first identified in 1955), but the vaccine for it is new. It was approved in May 2023 for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in people aged 60 and older. The RSV vaccine, which does not contain (a) live virus, has been available in ArchWell Health centers since August 2023.

The CDC recommends a one-time RSV vaccine for everyone 75 and older, and adults ages 60 to 74 with chronic medical conditions such as lung or heart disease. If you’ve already received the RSV vaccine, you do not need another dose at this time.

Talk to your primary care provider about the best age for you to get the RSV vaccine.

Pneumonia Vaccine

In addition to the previous three vaccines, it’s vital to include the pneumonia shot for seniors. While the pneumonia vaccine is not just a seasonal vaccine, there’s an increase in hospitalizations for this lung infection every winter. People aged 65 or older are at increased risk for pneumonia, and pneumonia kills about 1 in 20 older adults who get it. However, getting vaccinated can help prevent this serious infection.

ArchWell Health recommends that 65-year-olds get a one-time Prevnar 20 vaccine for pneumonia, available in all ArchWell Health centers.

A Word from ArchWell Health

The ArchWell Health model of care focuses on keeping our members healthy — so we are very enthusiastic about vaccine education and proud to offer these potentially lifesaving vaccines to all our members at all our centers. Contact your ArchWell Health care team to schedule your seasonal vaccinations today.