Jordan Ellis
Vaccinations are a critical tool in protecting older adults from serious diseases and their associated hospitalizations. Older adults are more susceptible to infections and are at an increased risk of severe illness and complications, which can lead to hospitalizations and even death. Vaccines such as the flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, RSV vaccine, shingles vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and measles booster shot have all been recommended for older adults to reduce the risk of hospitalization and severe illness. Research has shown that these vaccines are effective in preventing hospitalizations and providing protection against diseases that commonly affect older adults.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccines reduce hospitalizations for older adults | Yes |
| Vaccines reduce emergency room visits for older adults | Yes |
| Vaccines that help | Shingrix, Pneumococcal, MMR, Flu, COVID-19, RSV |
| Age groups | 50+, 60+, 75+ |
| Effectiveness | 75%, 90%, 93%, 97% |
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What You'll Learn
Flu vaccines reduce flu-related hospitalizations
Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect oneself from serious diseases. Staying up to date with vaccinations is especially important for older adults, who are more susceptible to infectious diseases and have an increased risk of severe illness.
Influenza infection is associated with considerable yearly morbidity, and adults over the age of 65 are among those at the highest risk of serious outcomes. The seasonal influenza virus infects 5–15% of the global population annually, causing about 500,000 deaths worldwide. Older adults are more likely to experience flu-related hospitalizations and deaths, with 57% of hospitalizations and over 75% of flu-related deaths occurring in this age group.
Flu vaccination has been shown to effectively reduce the risk of medical visits and hospitalizations in older people. A 2024 study found that flu vaccination reduces flu-related hospitalizations and deaths, including among older adults. The CDC recommends the use of higher-dose flu vaccines or adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccines over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines for people 65 years and older. Higher doses may be more effective in this age group and are therefore recommended preferentially.
In the 2017–2018 flu season, vaccination prevented an estimated 109,000 hospitalizations and 8,000 deaths from flu infections, despite an overall effectiveness of around 38%. While flu vaccines may not prevent all hospitalizations, they can lessen the severity of the illness and reduce the risk of serious symptoms and complications.
In addition to flu vaccines, older adults should also consider other vaccinations such as pneumococcal vaccines, especially if they work around chronically ill people or are at higher risk of severe illness due to underlying health conditions.
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COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for older adults
The recommended COVID-19 vaccines for older adults are the updated versions from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax. These vaccines may become an annual shot, much like the flu vaccine, for some people. The flu vaccine is also recommended for older adults, especially those aged 65 and above, as it may reduce the severity of the illness and flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Older adults are also encouraged to get the pneumococcal vaccine, which can prevent pneumonia. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, pneumococcal disease killed more people in the US each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. Older adults are more likely to suffer from serious illness and death due to this disease.
Additionally, the CDC now recommends the R.S.V. vaccine for people aged 75 and older and those aged 60-74 who are at higher risk of severe illness due to underlying health issues. This vaccine has been found to significantly reduce the risk of serious symptoms from an R.S.V. infection, which can be dangerous for older adults, causing thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year.
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Shingles vaccines may reduce dementia risk
Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect oneself from serious diseases. While the link between vaccines and reduced hospitalizations is yet to be established, several studies have found a strong link between shingles vaccines and lower dementia risk.
Shingles, a viral infection that causes a painful rash, is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus. A study published in Nature found that the shingles vaccine lowered new dementia diagnoses by 20%, more than any other known intervention. The study, conducted by Stanford Medicine, analysed the health records of older adults in Wales. The results revealed that those who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia in the seven years following than those who did not.
The study also found that protection against dementia was more pronounced in women than in men. This could be attributed to sex differences in immune response and antibody responses to vaccination. Women, for instance, tend to exhibit higher antibody responses to vaccination, and shingles is more prevalent in women than in men.
The findings support the theory that viruses affecting the nervous system can increase the risk of dementia. While the exact mechanism remains unknown, the study suggests that preventing certain viral infections may help slow down cognitive decline.
The study's lead researcher, Pascal Geldsetzer, acknowledged that previous studies linking the shingles vaccine to lower dementia rates had limitations. Specifically, they could not account for the possibility that vaccinated individuals might also possess other dementia-protective characteristics, such as healthier lifestyles and better diets. However, the new study addressed these factors, making its findings more robust.
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Pneumococcal vaccines prevent pneumonia
Pneumococcal disease is a common illness in young children, but older adults are at a higher risk of serious illness and death. Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, is one of the illnesses caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Almost 1 million people aged 65 and above are hospitalised with pneumonia each year, and around 30% of older adults treated for pneumonia die.
Pneumococcal vaccines can prevent pneumonia and its associated health dangers. The vaccines are safe and effective, and they are recommended for children younger than 5 years old and adults 50 years or older. In addition, adults younger than 50 may be advised to receive pneumococcal vaccines. The CDC recommends that adults at a higher risk of pneumococcal disease get vaccinated.
There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines used in the United States: pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15 and PCV20) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). The PCV15 and PPSV23 cannot be administered simultaneously, and there should be a gap of at least eight weeks between the two. The PCV13, another pneumococcal vaccine, prevented more than 30,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease and 3,000 deaths in its first three years of use.
Pneumococcal vaccines are generally safe, and most people do not experience any serious problems with them. However, as with medicines, there is a chance of side effects, which are usually mild and disappear within a few days.
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Measles booster shots may be needed
Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect oneself from serious diseases. While most people are vaccinated against measles during childhood, the recent outbreaks in various states have health experts urging some adults to check their vaccination status. Measles is a highly contagious, life-threatening respiratory virus that spreads through respiratory droplets and can linger in the air and on surfaces for hours.
The two MMR shots given to children are considered full immunization for life, and no additional vaccination is needed. People born before 1957 are considered to have "presumptive evidence" of immunity, as nearly everyone born during this period contracted measles during childhood. However, older adults born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968 may need a measles booster shot. This is because early versions of the measles vaccine used an inactivated (killed) virus, which was less effective than the live vaccine. The CDC recommends that anyone vaccinated before 1968 receive at least one dose of the live attenuated vaccine.
Additionally, adults who work in healthcare or other high-exposure settings and have only received one dose of the measles vaccine may benefit from a booster shot. This is because working in hospitals, schools, or childcare centres can increase the chance of exposure to measles. Adults who are unsure of their vaccination status or immunity level may also opt for a booster shot. This is especially important for those over 20, as they are more likely to develop complications from measles, such as pneumonia and brain swelling.
Furthermore, adults who plan to travel internationally should ensure they are fully vaccinated before departing, regardless of their destination. The CDC provides advice on the number of MMR shots needed, and it is recommended to consult a doctor for personalised guidance. While one dose of the MMR vaccine is highly effective for most people, the CDC recommends an additional dose for adults at high risk, including those in college settings, working in healthcare, or living with immunocompromised individuals.
In summary, while the two MMR shots given during childhood provide full immunization for life, recent measles outbreaks and personal factors may prompt some adults to consider a measles booster shot. Staying up to date with vaccinations is crucial to protect oneself and the community from serious diseases and their complications.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, vaccinations have been found to decrease hospitalizations for older adults. The flu vaccine, for example, has been found to reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths, including among older adults.
The CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for adults aged 75 and older and for those aged 60-74 who are at increased risk of severe illness. The pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended for older adults as pneumococcal disease can cause pneumonia and is more likely to be fatal for older adults.
Yes, the shingles vaccine has been linked to a lower risk of developing dementia. A study found that those who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over a seven-year period.
Mild side effects such as pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site have been reported with the RSV vaccine. A very low risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome has also been associated with this vaccine. However, this should not deter people from getting vaccinated, as the benefits of preventing hospitalizations and deaths outweigh the potential risks.
