There’s a national debate going on questioning whether vaccines are safe.
Vociferous anti-vaccine activists link vaccines with rising numbers of children with autism, although studies have shown no correlation between the two. Nor has it been proven that vaccinations cause childhood leukemia, as previously thought. Despite scientific findings (or, in the opinion from the other side of the aisle, pharmaceutical company propaganda), the anti-vaccine movement continues its rally against childhood vaccinations due to their proposed dangerous side effects while public-health experts contend that high rates of non-vaccination are the cause of recent contagious disease outbreaks.
But what about the elderly? Are they in danger of vaccine complications?
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Sponsored by the Center for Disease Control, the purpose of the campaign is to “provide an opportunity to highlight the value of immunization across the lifespan”. The CDC recommends that the elderly (those 60 years +) receive the following vaccines to promote good health:
Seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine
The CDC estimates 90 percent of seasonal influenza-related deaths and more than 60 percent of seasonal influenza-related hospitalizations in the U.S. each year occur in people 65 years and older.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Td or Tdap) vaccine
Everyone, including the elderly, should have booster shots for tetanus and diphtheria every 10 years.
Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine
Pneumonia, which often starts as a simple viral respiratory disease, and can develop into a severe inflammation of the lungs, often cited as the fifth leading cause of death in the elderly and frail.
Zoster vaccine, to protect against shingles
The risk of getting shingles increases as one ages. Not only that, but shingles can be extremely painful in the elderly. The persistent pain, called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), can last for months or years.
This is not to say that vaccines for seniors have been without their own controversy. Several years ago, “Fluzone High-Dose”, a flu vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur especially for those over 65 years old. And although Sanofi Pasteur reported finding the vaccine 24.2% more effective in preventing influenza in the aged, some believe the vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen compared to the regular flu vaccine, brought with it stronger side effects.
You can learn more about the vaccines you or your senior client or loved one may need at vaccines.gov. Their Adult Immunization Scheduler tool offers personalized vaccine suggestions based on your age (and other factors.)
How do you feel about immunization and vaccines? Do you believe them necessary to continued well-being or is it a dangerous scam perpetrated by big pharma? Is it part of your job as a senior caregiver to influence the decision of the elder in your charge whether to get that shot or not? We’d love to hear you opinions in the comment section. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, Caregiverlist® continues to believe in utilizing everything in one’s health toolkit in order to age well.
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