Just because you are getting older does not mean that you no longer need vaccines to protect yourself from illnesses. Take influenza, for example. The flu shot is not just for kids’ protection against the disease. Older people have much to benefit from these vaccines too as they become more vulnerable to flu complications such as pneumonia. In fact, the older you get, the more protection you need.
Unfortunately, many adults harbor the wrong ideas about vaccines these days. Some may feel that a flu shot does not do them any good or that it would only make them more susceptible to illness. Some may even have the mistaken notion that flu shots actually cause the flu.
Benefits of the Flu Shot for Older Adults
The fact is that if you are over the age of 50, you have much to benefit from the flu shot. If it does not totally prevent you from contracting the flu, it can at the very least lessen the severity of your illness and make you less contagious.
With the coronavirus pandemic going on, getting a flu shot is more essential than ever. Although the flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, it can greatly lower your chances of catching both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, which you would not want to happen. The two illnesses share very similar symptoms.
Why the Flu Shot is Crucial for Those Over 50
In addition, as you get older, catching the flu becomes more dangerous. An estimated 70 to 90 percent of deaths and 50 to 70 percent of hospitalization related to seasonal flu are of people ages 65 and older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. The risk of suffering from a severe case of COVID-19 also goes up with age. This is because your immune system becomes weaker as you age. This means a decreased ability to fight off viruses and a more difficult time recovering from illness.
Older adults also usually develop other conditions like diabetes and cancer. Conditions such as these lower their immunity. This puts the elderly at an even greater risk of contracting the flu.
Flu Vaccine Options
Older folks can still benefit from the standard flu vaccine, but there are two formulations that were specifically developed for people aged 65 and older in order to give them greater protection. These are the high-dose flu vaccine and the adjuvanted flu vaccine.
The high-dose flu vaccine is, as the name suggests, a higher dose of the regular flu shot. It contains four times the amount of antigen, which is the substance that triggers your immune system to produce antibodies for your protection. The CDC reports that people aged 65 and up who were vaccinated with the high-dose flu shot had 24 percent fewer flu infections than those how only received the regular flu shot.
The adjuvanted vaccine is like the standard flu shot but with added MF59, an immunologic adjuvant that increases your immune system’s response to the flu. This makes your body more resistant to the influenza virus.
The only downside of these vaccines is that the high-dose vaccine and the adjuvanted flu vaccine can produce additional side effects compared to the standard flu shot. You may experience effects such as swelling, soreness, or redness at the injection site, headache, or muscle ache. The most common of these is soreness, which may even last for up to several days.
Other Ways to Protect Yourself
Protecting yourself from illness does not stop at vaccination. You can do other things to prevent getting sick, such as frequently washing your hands, getting adequate rest, avoiding contact with people who are sick, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. It would also do you and your loved ones good if you encourage them to get vaccinated as well.
Needless to say, it is also crucial to practice the recommended methods to stop COVID-19 from spreading. These include social distancing and wearing a face mask when you are out in public or around other people. These are the ways you can do your part in the fight against COVID-19.
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