Why Older People need Vaccinations

TribecaCare
24th Mar 2025

As you get older, you tend to lose some of the natural immunity that younger people may develop. This makes you susceptible to common diseases, especially those whose spread is airborne, through droplets, which means – when people are coughing or sneezing around you. It is common for doctors to advise older people to avoid crowded places and to wear masks, especially during winter months and the influenza season.

Which Vaccines do Older Adults Need?

During the Covid 19 Pandemic (2020 – 2022), many people died from the flu-like symptoms and the development of severe respiratory distress. Older people were particularly at risk and mortality figures were in the hundreds of thousands all over the world. The development of the Covid 19 vaccine saved countless lives and although now, there is no widespread danger from this virus – in certain countries, immunization is still given, especially to older people. Today, the coverage against respiratory disease is considered to be adequate through the Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccines. But it is always recommended that you consult your doctor about what vaccinations are suitable for you and when to take them.

Reputed Eldercare Service Organizations offer senior vaccination programmes and have doctors to assess and evaluate your health parameters before they prescribe any vaccine.
Tribeca Eldercare’s FluVax Campaign last winter was very successful.

Flu Vaccine

“Flu — short for influenza — is a virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, and muscle aches. Flu is very serious when it gets in your lungs. Older adults are at a higher risk for developing serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. The flu is easy to pass from person to person. The virus also changes over time, which means you can get it again. To ensure flu vaccines remain effective, the vaccine is updated every year.

Everyone age 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, but the protection from a flu vaccine can lessen with time, especially in older adults. Still, you are less likely to become seriously ill or hospitalized with the flu if you get the vaccine. A flu vaccine is especially important if you have a chronic health condition such as heart disease or diabetes. Ideally, you should get your vaccine by the end of October each year so you are protected when the flu season starts. It takes at least two weeks for the vaccine to be effective.

However, if you have not received your flu vaccine by the end of October, it’s not too late — flu season typically peaks in December or January. As long as the flu virus is spreading, getting vaccinated will help protect you”.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/immunizations-and-vaccines/vaccinations-and-older-adults

Pneumonia Vaccine

“Pneumococcal disease (Pneumonia) is a serious infection that spreads from person to person by air. It often causes pneumonia in the lungs and it can affect other parts of the body. Older adults are at higher risk than younger people of getting very sick or dying from pneumococcal disease. The Centres for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States which is the apex body for public health policy and research recommends that all adults age 50 and older get pneumococcal vaccination.

This vaccine helps protect you from getting a serious infection, including pneumonia. There are multiple forms of the pneumococcal vaccine: Talk to a health care provider to find out which is best for you”.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/immunizations-and-vaccines/vaccinations-and-older-adults

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccine

“Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are diseases caused by bacteria that can lead to serious illness and death.

Tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw) is caused by bacteria found in soil, dust, and manure. It can enter the body through a deep cut or burn.
Diphtheria is a serious illness that can affect the tonsils, throat, nose, or skin. It can spread from person to person.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, causes uncontrollable, violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It can spread from person to person.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Most people get vaccinated as children, but you also need booster shots as you get older to stay protected against these diseases. The CDC recommends that adults get a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) or Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years”

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/immunizations-and-vaccines/vaccinations-and-older-adults

Shingles Vaccine

“Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. If you had chickenpox, the virus is still in your body. As you get older, the virus could become active again and cause shingles. Shingles affects the nerves. Common symptoms include burning, shooting pain, tingling, and/or itching, as well as a rash with fluid-filled blisters. Even when the rash disappears, the pain can remain. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia, or PHN. The shingles vaccine is safe, and it may keep you from getting shingles and PHN. Healthy adults age 50 and older should get vaccinated with the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, which is given in two doses.

You should get a shingles vaccine even if you’ve already had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, or if you don’t remember whether you had chickenpox. You should also get the shingles vaccine if you’ve already had shingles or received any form of immunization (such as an earlier vaccine, called Zostavax). However, you should not get a vaccine if you currently have shingles, are sick or have a fever, have a weakened immune system, or have had an allergic reaction to Shingrix”.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/immunizations-and-vaccines/vaccinations-and-older-adults