Vaccines play an important role in protecting your health and the health of your family and community. They are one of our best defenses against many infectious diseases and have saved millions of lives. August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), and it’s a great time to highlight the importance of vaccinations, as well as check in with your healthcare provider to see if you may be due for your annual or any missed vaccines.
As we head into cold and flu season, respiratory viruses, such as the flu, COVID-19, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and pneumonia, are on the rise and can have devastating consequences especially for older adults. These viruses can lead to severe complications including lung infections and an increased risk of heart disease. Staying up to date with vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from these illnesses.
Keeping up with all of your vaccines is important. While you may have gotten a vaccine last year, some vaccines are updated every year to provide the best protection against constantly changing viruses. You can learn more about what vaccines you need and see the current CDC recommendations with our guide, Our Best Shot: Quick Guide to CDC-Recommended Vaccines for Adults Ages 65+.
It’s also important to talk with your healthcare provider to see if you need a shingles vaccine, especially if you or a loved one are 50 years old or older. Shingles, caused by the same virus as chickenpox, can lead to painful rashes and other serious problems. The two-dose shingles vaccine significantly reduces the risk of developing shingles and its complications. To learn more about shingles and how to protect yourself, watch the Alliance’s video, Shingles: What You Need to Know to Avoid a World of Pain.
The Alliance for Aging Research created a series of films that feature adults sharing their experiences with vaccine-preventable diseases. In hopes of encouraging everyone to get vaccinated, Allison tells her story about her lifelong complications as a result of the flu, Kristine shares her experience with shingles, and Jane shares her experience of hospitalization from pneumonia.
For more information on the flu and RSV, watch Our Best Shot: Preventing and Treating the Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Not Just a Little Kids’ Virus from the Alliance. You can also visit AgingResearch.org/OurBestShot to learn more about vaccination.
The Alliance is a proud convening partner of Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP) which advocates for our communities’ health and safety by encouraging all eligible individuals to get vaccinated against infectious respiratory illnesses. CVEEPand the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer a variety of vaccine resources on their websites with information available in both English and Spanish.
Stay healthy and informed as we navigate the cold and flu season together!
Katrin Werner-Perez serves as the Alliance’s Health Programs Manager.
