Recommended Vaccines for Older Adults

As a child or teenager, it can feel like you're always getting shots—but the good news is that those vaccine appointments tend to slow down as you transition into young adulthood. However, vaccines remain essential throughout your life, as certain diseases can affect you at any age and others can become more common as you get older. For adults 50 and older, keeping up with your vaccination schedule is a key way to stay healthy and protect against serious illnesses.

Why Are Vaccines Important for Older Adults?

Your immune system, which is your body's way of fighting infections, weakens with age. A weakened immune system can make you more likely to get certain illnesses and put you at a higher risk for severe complications from the illness. In addition, some vaccines’ ability to work decreases over time.

By staying current with your vaccinations, you reduce your risk of getting sick, experiencing complications, and needing medical care or hospitalization.

The 50+ Vaccine Checklist

Shingles Vaccine

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you've had chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your body and can reactivate later in life as shingles, often due to a weakened immune system. Shingles usually starts as a blistering rash on one side of your face or body. Shingles can also lead to:

●      Itching

●      Pain

●      Tingling

A major complication from shingles is postherpetic neuralgia, which is long-term nerve pain that can remain even after the rash disappears.

Experts recommend the shingles vaccine for healthy adults ages 50 and older. You get the vaccine in two doses, typically two to six months apart. It's important to get this vaccine if you've had chickenpox in the past, received the chickenpox vaccine or don't recall having chickenpox. Even if you've had shingles before or received an older shingles vaccine, the current shingles vaccine is still recommended.

Pneumococcal Vaccine

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by bacteria that can spread through the air. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause various illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections. For older adults, the risk of developing severe illness is higher compared to younger individuals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the pneumococcal vaccination if you’re 50 or older. And if you’re 65 and older, it's particularly important to get the vaccine. There are multiple types of pneumococcal vaccines available, and your doctor can help determine the best type and number of doses for you.

RSV Vaccine

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a viral infection that often starts with cold-like symptoms. However, for older adults, an RSV infection can be much more severe, potentially leading to serious health problems like pneumonia or inflammation of the small airways in the lungs. The illness can be particularly dangerous for individuals with chronic diseases or a weakened immune system. RSV infections are most prevalent during the fall and winter months.

All people 75 and older should get the RSV vaccine. If you’re age 60 to 74 and at risk for severe disease, the CDC recommends that you ask your doctor whether you should receive the RSV vaccine.

While RSV season typically occurs from fall to spring, peaking in winter, you can benefit from the RSV vaccine at any time of year. The RSV vaccine is given as a single dose.

Other Vaccines You May Need

In addition to shingles, pneumococcal and RSV vaccines, you also benefit from additional vaccines.

●        Flu vaccine: Everyone age 6 months and older should get a seasonal flu vaccine every year. For people age 65 and older, higher-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines are recommended, as they can provide a stronger immune response. Getting the flu vaccine is especially important if you have chronic health conditions like heart disease or diabetes.

●        Tdap/Td vaccine: All adults need to get a Tdap vaccine (which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough/pertussis). If you’ve never had one, you should get one now. After your initial vaccine, a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster is needed every 10 years to maintain protection.

●        COVID-19 vaccine: Staying up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine is important to protect yourself and others from the virus, which can cause serious illness and death, especially for older adults. Recommendations may vary based on your age and health status, with people 65 and older needing two doses of the current vaccine.

●        Meningococcal vaccine: The CDC recommends adults get the meningococcal vaccine if they have certain medical conditions, like a missing spleen, or if they are regularly exposed to Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.

●        Hepatitis vaccine: The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect you against the hepatitis B virus infection, which can cause severe liver damage. Adults over 60 who have a higher risk of getting the hepatitis virus, such as those working in health care, should get the hepatitis vaccine. Even if you don’t know if you have risk factors and want to protect yourself, you can get the vaccine.

Taking Action to Protect Your Health

Getting the right vaccinations not only protects you, but it also helps protect those around you. If you're unsure which ones you need, ask your doctor. They can look at your past immunizations and health history to figure out what's best for you.

Physicians at CommonSpirit help keep communities safe by providing the right vaccinations. Find a doctor today.