As a senior in Chattanooga, TN, there are many ways to take care of your health. One of the most reliable strategies: being up to date with your vaccinations.
At a certain age, there's very little reason not to get the recommended shots. They help keep you from getting life-threatening diseases, and they're very safe. The most common side effects are quite mild, such as:
Of course, you should still talk with your health care provider before getting any vaccine. If they give the okay, here's a list of the recommended vaccines for seniors and when to take them!
When it comes to preventative health for seniors, very few things are more useful than a flu vaccine. The flu is a virus that can cause:
Flu can also lead to serious complications, especially in seniors. It's also very easy to catch and changes over time, meaning you can get it again. To keep the flu vaccines as effective as possible, scientists update them every year.
It's recommended to get an annual flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. Even with the protection getting weaker over time, this should get you through the flu season. This is particularly important for seniors with heart conditions.
Keep in mind that there are flu vaccines designed specifically for seniors. These may include a higher dose or aim to create a stronger immune response. Consult with a health care provider to see which vaccine works best for you.
Pneumonia is one of the main complications that can arise from the flu. As such, many seniors should consider getting vaccinated specifically for pneumonia.
This condition is caused by pneumococcal disease, an infection that spreads by air. Beyond causing pneumonia in the lungs, it can affect many other parts of your body. Seniors are at particular risk of getting sick from this disease.
The pneumococcal vaccine will do a lot to help prevent serious infections. In the United States, there are four versions of this vaccine. If you don't already know which one to get, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
As you may know, shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus. If you had chickenpox, the virus may become active later in your life and cause shingles.
The symptom most commonly associated with shingles is a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters. Even when the rash goes away, the pain may remain. Other common symptoms of shingles include itching and tingling.
Even if you've had chickenpox, you should take a shingles vaccine. The best vaccine for seniors is Shingrix, which is given in two doses. Consider taking the flu and shingles vaccines together due to how ubiquitous these infections are.
There are also some situations where seniors shouldn't get vaccinated for shingles. For example, you shouldn't get the shingles vaccine if you:
No adult vaccine guide is complete without the COVID-19 vaccine. In seniors, this respiratory disease can still lead to severe outcomes, including death.
Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing your risk of getting this disease. Even if you do get COVID-19, you likely won't be seriously ill. That said, like with most vaccines, the protection decreases over time.
When it comes to senior immunizations in TN, it's best to treat COVID-19 like the flu. If you're 65 or older, that means getting vaccinated for it annually. This is particularly important if you're living in a senior care community.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are all bacteria-caused diseases. However, they tend to cause very different symptoms:
Most people get vaccinated against these infections as children. Even so, staying protected requires booster shots every 10 years. The Tdap vaccine protects you against all three diseases, but you can get the Td vaccine as well.
You can get these vaccines in many places, including pharmacies and public health clinics. Visit your local health department to learn more about your options.
RSV is a common virus that tends to cause mild symptoms. That said, older adults are more likely to develop severe symptoms if they're infected with RSV.
This virus can be particularly dangerous to seniors who have a weakened immune system and chronic diseases. These people often get very sick and need to be hospitalized, and the illness can even be life-threatening.
Similarly to the flu, RSV infections are most common in the fall and winter. Getting an RSV vaccine may be a good countermeasure. If you're 60 or older, talk to your doctor about whether this makes sense for your situation.
Are you planning on traveling to other countries? If so, you'll first need to check in with your doctor or local health department about which vaccines you'll need.
The specific vaccine requirements will often depend on several factors, such as:
In some cases, you may need multiple doses or different vaccines. As a general rule, you should get them four to six weeks before your trip. This gives your body time to build up immunity and get the protection you need.
The bottom line: vaccines are a key component of staying well in retirement. All the recommended vaccines for seniors that we outlined above can be vital for protecting your immune system and preventing severe diseases.
At Creekside at Shallowford, we take senior health very seriously. Our independent living community in Chattanooga offers on-site health and wellness programs designed to nurture both your body and mind!
We also offer a special program for our United States Armed Forces veterans. If you decide to join our community, you'll receive 50% off your first month's rent each year! Contact us now to learn more about our picturesque community!