Heading into the thick of flu and COVID season, there have been some latest modifications to vaccine suggestions for folks over age 50.
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) just lately lowered the age for pneumonia vaccinations by 15 years.
As a substitute of recommending the pneumococcal vaccine for these 65 and over, the shot is now advised beginning at age 50.
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“Everybody over 50 needs to be fascinated by vaccines, as a result of as we age, our immune system can grow to be extra susceptible,” Dr. Susannah Hills, surgeon and assistant professor at Columbia College Medical Heart in New York Metropolis, informed Fox Information Digital.
When selecting which vaccinations to get, it is usually essential to think about private threat, she mentioned.
The CDC just lately lowered the age for pneumonia vaccinations by 15 years, from 65 to 50. (iStock)
“Are there underlying well being situations like diabetes, immunodeficiency or most cancers? If that’s the case, getting vaccinated turns into much more essential.”
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To assist folks 50 and older preserve observe of immunization steerage for his or her age group, Fox Information Digital gathered insights from a number of infectious illness consultants.
1. Flu vaccine
The CDC recommends that everybody 6 months and older will get a flu vaccine yearly, together with these 50 and up.
Dr. Jennifer Dunphy, a public well being physician in Los Angeles, California, famous that the flu vaccine is understood to considerably cut back deaths and hospitalizations (from 40% to 52%) within the 50 and older inhabitants.
“Everybody over 50 needs to be fascinated by vaccines … As we age, our immune system can grow to be extra susceptible.”
“It is suggested to get the vaccine on the finish of summer season, ideally in September, earlier than the climate modifications and viruses grow to be extra widespread,” she informed Fox Information Digital.
Widespread unintended effects embody physique aches and low-grade fever, the physician famous.
The flu vaccine is understood to considerably cut back deaths and hospitalizations (from 40% to 52%) within the 50 and older inhabitants, a health care provider famous. (iStock)
“In some circumstances, there are very uncommon however extra severe unintended effects that will impression the nervous system,” Dunphy mentioned.
“The advantages of the vaccine for most individuals over 50 will outweigh any dangers, however it is suggested to speak to your physician.”
2. COVID-19 vaccine
The CDC recommends that everybody 6 months and older is vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 and receives an up to date vaccine annually, usually within the fall earlier than the tip of October.
The company additionally advises folks 65 and older to obtain a second dose of the vaccine.
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“Along with flu and RSV, COVID is a part of a triad of respiratory viruses that trigger excessive charges of hospitalization and dying in older adults, with elevated threat seen with advancing age,” Dr. Amy Edwards, an infectious illness professional at UH Rainbow Infants and Kids’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, informed Fox Information Digital.
For the COVID-19 vaccine, it is suggested that folks get two full doses spaced no less than three weeks aside adopted by annual boosters, a health care provider mentioned. (iStock)
For the COVID-19 vaccine, it is suggested that folks get two full doses spaced no less than three weeks aside adopted by annual boosters, in keeping with Dunphy.
The boosters are tailor-made to be efficient in opposition to probably the most present pressure of the virus, she mentioned.
“The COVID vaccine works to extend the event of antibodies that struggle in opposition to publicity turning into an infection, and an infection from transitioning into severe an infection,” she mentioned.
“Unintended effects fluctuate, however are principally restricted to delicate, flu-like signs.”
Some severe adversarial results have been linked to COVID vaccines, together with anaphylactic shock, myocarditis (irritation of the center muscle) or pericarditis (irritation of the liner surrounding the center), in keeping with the CDC.
3. Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcus (pneumonia) vaccine is really helpful for kids youthful than 5 years and adults 50 years or older.
That is an replace to earlier steerage, which referred to as for vaccines in adults 65 and older.
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This one-time vaccine is designed to guard in opposition to bacterial infections that may trigger pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.
The company recommends giving one in all three out there vaccines — PCV15, PCV20 or PCV21 — to all adults 50 years or older who’ve by no means obtained a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or who’re unsure of their vaccination historical past.
“The speed of hospitalizations and dying from pneumonia goes up at age 50 after which once more by rather a lot at age 65 years outdated,” Edwards informed Fox Information Digital.
“The speed of hospitalizations and dying from pneumonia goes up at age 50 after which once more by rather a lot at age 65 years outdated,” a health care provider informed Fox Information Digital. (iStock)
“Usually, adults are suggested to get a single dose, however some higher-risk adults might get a dose each 5 years.”
Unintended effects are usually minimal from this vaccine, she famous.
Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint ache, or redness, swelling, ache or tenderness on the injection web site are some doable unintended effects, in keeping with the CDC.
4. Tdap vaccine
The Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine helps to guard in opposition to tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
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Pertussis, extra generally referred to as whooping cough, has seen a spike within the U.S. in 2024, with greater than 5 occasions the circumstances reported on the identical time final 12 months.
“All adults ought to get the tetanus vaccine each 10 years, as that’s the longest safety lasts,” Edwards suggested.
Most docs agree that it is OK to get the COVID and flu vaccines on the identical time. (iStock)
“Vaccination in opposition to whooping cough is typically really helpful for some older adults, particularly those that will spend time with very younger kids (grandchildren), as infants are at very excessive threat for dying from whooping cough.”
The commonest unintended effects after a Tdap vaccination embody delicate fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and ache, swelling or redness on the injection web site, the CDC said.
Adults ought to talk about with their docs about whether or not this vaccine is important.
5. Shingles vaccine
It is suggested that adults 50 and older obtain two doses of Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, two to 6 months aside, per the CDC.
The vaccine protects in opposition to a situation referred to as herpes zoster, extra generally referred to as shingles.
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The an infection causes a painful rash brought on by the varicella-zoster virus, which might trigger nerve harm, persistent nerve ache and typically irritation of the mind, in keeping with Edwards.
“Shingles turns into extra widespread with every decade previous 50,” she mentioned.
It is suggested that adults 50 and older obtain two doses of Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, two to 6 months aside, per the CDC. (iStock)
“This vaccine tends to be type of tough, with excessive charges of fever and physique aches,” Edwards cautioned.
“Many individuals who’ve had each say the shingles vaccine is as dangerous or worse than the mRNA COVID vaccines so far as making you are feeling dangerous for a day or two afterward.”
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The shingles vaccine is at the moment administered as a one-time, lifetime dose with no boosters really helpful later in life for these vaccinated at round age 50, Edwards famous.
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Consultants agree it’s finest for every particular person to debate a vaccine plan together with his or her main care doctor.
Hills added, “Some folks could also be at greater threat and will have to get these vaccines earlier or might have different vaccines as effectively.”
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