What shots should you take this year?

This information comes from the CDC and ArchWell Health

There is a lot of talk about vaccines these days. According to the Center for Disease Control:

Everyone should make sure they are up to date on these routine vaccinations:

The CDC says you may also need others.

For information on childhood vaccines from the CDC, click HERE.

Information for adults of all ages can also be found at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/by-age/index.html

If you’re over 60, you know that health is a precious commodity. According to ArchWell Health, seasonal vaccinations can help you protect your health and provide immunity against diseases that can become serious if you are not protected.

So which vaccinations are essential for seniors this fall? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends three seasonal vaccinations for people over 60:

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

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

Flu shot

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

To protect yourself from these complications, it is important to get an annual flu shot. Each year there is an updated flu shot based on strains observed 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 at its centers. This vaccine does not contain a live virus, cannot cause flu, and poses no risk to people with egg allergies.

Wondering what the upcoming flu season will look like? Based on flu data from Australia, doctors expect a typical flu season in the US this fall and winter – back to pre-COVID-19 levels. For comparison, in 2019-2020 (the pre-COVID season), 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 receive the annual flu shot between September 1 and March 31.

COVID booster

Although COVID-19 is not just a seasonal infection – people can contract the virus year-round – a new booster shot based on the latest strain is offered every fall. The COVID Booster does not contain any live virus.

Because COVID is still deadlier than the flu and most COVID deaths and hospitalizations last year affected people age 65 and older, it is critical for older adults to stay up to date on their COVID vaccinations. The original 2021 COVID vaccines did not provide protection against the newer strains.

ArchWell Health encourages all older adults to get the 2024 COVID-19 booster shot, available this September at every ArchWell Health center nationwide.

RSV vaccine

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

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

Talk to yours primary care provider about the best age for RSV vaccination.

Pneumonia vaccine

In addition to the previous three vaccinations, it is important to include the pneumonia vaccination for seniors. Although the pneumonia vaccine is not just a seasonal vaccine, there is an increase in hospitalizations for this lung infection every winter. People age 65 or older are at increased risk of pneumonia, and about one in 20 older adults who get it will die from pneumonia. However, vaccination can help prevent this serious infection.

ArchWell Health recommends a single dose for 65-year-olds Prevnar 20 vaccine for pneumonia, available at all ArchWell Health centers.

A word from ArchWell Health

ArchWell Health’s care model is focused on maintaining the health of our members. That’s why we value vaccine education and are proud to offer these potentially life-saving vaccines to all of our members at all of our centers. Contact your ArchWell Health Care team today to schedule your seasonal vaccinations.

DISCLAIMER: This information is provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and ArchWellHealth.com. STLSportsPage provides information only and does not advocate any specific medical treatment.

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