Vaccines are a key preventive care tool at any age. But they become even more important for our health with every passing year.
As we get older, our bodies make fewer of the antibodies that fight infections. That makes us easy targets for infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and the flu, says Dr. Teresa McCarthy, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota who specializes in aging.
Other age-related changes can also make it hard to fight disease. This is why vaccines are so important.
Think of vaccines like an extra layer of protection. They won’t prevent illness. But they can lower your risk. Here are four important vaccines to consider getting before the end of the year.
FLU
The flu vaccine can lower your risk of getting sick by 40 to 60 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It may also help prevent flu-related hospital stays and other illnesses, such as pneumonia, McCarthy says.
It’s especially important to get a flu shot this year, to limit your risk of illness while COVID-19 is also a threat.
To get it: To make sure your flu vaccine is covered under your benefits, visit your doctor to receive it. The CDC recommends getting it done by the end of October.
PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA
Pneumococcal pneumonia, a common type of bacterial pneumonia, is more common in young children. But older adults are at the greatest risk of serious illness from it. Smoking and chronic conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, can also increase your risk.
Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself against this disease.
To get it: The pneumococcal vaccine is only covered if you get it from your doctor. The CDC notes that you don’t need this vaccine every year. So talk to your doctor to find out the ideal time for you.
SHINGLES
Shingles can appear at any age. But older adults are more likely to experience complications from shingles, such as long-term nerve pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia.
Thankfully, the shingles vaccine can lower your risk of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia by more than 90 percent, according to the CDC.
To get it: The shingles vaccine should be administered at a pharmacy. It should be submitted under your Part D (drug) coverage. For best results, get two doses of the shingles vaccine (Shingrix). Doses should be separated by two to six months. Protection lasts about four years, but talk with your doctor to find out if you need more frequent doses.
HEPATITIS B.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Left untreated, it can lead to serious liver damage and other problems.
Unvaccinated adults, health care workers, and people traveling to countries where hepatitis B is common have a higher risk of hepatitis B, McCarthy says.
To get it: Visit your doctor to get the hepatitis B vaccine covered under your benefits. The vaccine is usually given in two or three doses.
Remember that your own personal health history and risks are important factors when considering vaccines. Be sure to talk to your doctor for a complete list