Recommended Vaccines for Seniors in Oroville, California

Are you up-to-date on your immunizations? Many people think vaccinations are for kids, but seniors need them too. Getting the vaccines your doctor recommends is a crucial part of staying healthy.

As you age, your immune system begins to decline. This leaves you more at risk for complications from certain viruses and infections. The flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, and other diseases can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or death for older adults.

At Marbella Oroville in beautiful, sunny Oroville, CA, we prioritize the health and safety of every resident. We provide the care and support our residents need to thrive and live their best lives.

Here's a guide to CDC-recommended vaccines for seniors.

Senior Health Tips for Adult Immunizations

As you age, so does your immune system. It becomes weaker over time, which leaves you vulnerable to many common viruses and infections. Disease complications are often more severe in older populations. Getting COVID-19 as a 35-year-old is much different than getting it as a 65-year-old.

The risks of serious illness or death from common diseases increase as you age. Vaccines can help prevent infection or decrease the intensity of your symptoms, allowing older adults to live healthier, longer lives.

Influenza Vaccine

Did you get your flu shot this year? The influenza vaccine is available for children ages six months and over. The CDC recommends that anyone with a chronic illness and those over the age of 65 get an annual flu shot.

The flu vaccine may protect you from getting the flu. The vaccine isn't always 100% effective, however. The vaccine is based on predictions of emerging viral strains and is the best defense against influenza. Even if you're infected with the flu, the vaccine may help you experience milder symptoms and lower your chances of further complications.

Shingles Vaccine

The Varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles. When someone contracts chickenpox, the virus lingers in the body's tissues in an inactive state. It can reactivate as shingles many years later.

Shingles is common in older adults. It is painful and causes a red blistering rash, typically on one side of the body. The chickenpox vaccine is relatively new, so most seniors had the virus when they were children. If you had chickenpox in the past, you're at risk for shingles for the rest of your life.

The shingles vaccine is highly recommended for older adults. The vaccine is 50% effective in preventing shingles in individuals aged 65 to 70. The vaccine's effectiveness does decrease for those over 70, but it is the best defense in preventing this painful condition. Talk to your doctor about whether the flu and shingles vaccines are suited to your health needs.

COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 is an unfortunate reality in today's world. This highly contagious virus is here to stay and can be especially dangerous for the senior population and those with compromised immune systems. As you age, the risk of serious complications from COVID-19 increases.

Individuals with COVID-19 over the age of 65 are at greater risk of serious illness or death. There are many variants of the virus circulating around the world. It's possible to become infected after getting the vaccine. The vaccine may help prevent infection, reduce the severity of symptoms, or lower the risk of severe complications, hospitalization, and death.

If you have been infected with COVID-19, you may develop some immunity against the virus. However, this is often short-lived. The CDC recommends the vaccine even if you've had COVID-19 in the past. Talk to your doctor about whether you should get the COVID-19 vaccine and the available booster shots.

Pneumonia Vaccine

For many seniors, pneumonia develops after an illness like the flu or COVID-19. Pneumonia can be serious for older adults and lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or death.

There are two pneumonia vaccines recommended for people aged 65 and older. The CDC also recommends the pneumonia vaccine for children under two years old and anyone between the ages of two and 64 who has a chronic medical condition.

The two shots are designed to be taken one year apart. As the number of senior adults getting the pneumonia vaccine has increased, the incidence of infection has drastically decreased. Consult your doctor about pneumonia prevention and whether these vaccines are suited to your health needs.

Tetanus and Pertussis Boosters

You may have heard that people get tetanus from stepping on rusty nails. This is possible, but there are other ways to contract tetanus. This bacterium is found in dust, soil, and manure. You can contract tetanus while working outside, tending to your garden, or stepping on a contaminated object.

If you have a scrape or cut on the skin, you can contract tetanus. The disease is serious and especially deadly for older adults and people with weakened immune systems. You may have had a tetanus shot as a child, but it won't protect you as an adult. You need a tetanus booster every 10 years for full protection.

Pertussis, often called whooping cough, is a serious bacterial infection. It's particularly dangerous for young children and senior adults. Pertussis symptoms include a loud, deep cough that may persist for weeks or months. The pertussis vaccine is standard for young children and adults who are around small children.

The tetanus and pertussis boosters are combined. Discuss the tetanus and pertussis vaccine with your doctor to discuss the right schedule of vaccines for your health needs.