An outbreak of measles in Disneyland of all places has put the subject of vaccinations at the center of constant news coverage.
Of course, vaccinations aren’t just available for the measles. They are used to prevent a host of infectious diseases like influenza, pneumonia, and shingles. Often the focus of vaccinations is put on children (as it well should be), but it is also important to remember the importance of vaccinations when it comes to older adults.
As we continue through what has been a historically tough flu season, especially for older adults, we wanted to share some facts on the benefits of vaccinations from our Silver Book® fact sheet Infectious Disease and Prevention through Vaccination.
Infectious disease poses a deadly risk to everyone, but even more so to the older adult population.
The effects of infectious diseases are staggering.
But when people are vaccinated against these diseases, the positive effects on human health and the economy are evident.
Vaccinations help ensure that older adults are protected from these deadly infectious diseases. And like the measles outbreak has shown us, when we aren’t vaccinated against infectious disease, we can pose a health threat to those around us.
If you haven’t yet gotten your vaccinations, it’s not too late to take action. Here are some helpful resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Here is a page with a vaccination schedule for those 65 and over.
- This page offers insights on what seniors should know about the flu season.
- The CDC vaccination page gives a great overview on vaccinations.
- Another helpful resource to consult is a schedule of immunizations for adults.
