Senior Home Health Care in Lake Havasu City, AZ

What immunizations do senior home health care experts recommend?

Seniors who make vaccinations a priority can lower their chances of developing a variety of serious diseases and live a higher quality of life. Below is a list of several immunizations that all older adults should consider.

Chickenpox

Although chickenpox doesn’t harm children, it can be very serious for senior citizens. Thanks to a chickenpox vaccine, older adults can protect themselves from this uncomfortable itchy, blister-like rash. This vaccine is recommended to all seniors who have never received it in the past or never had the chickenpox.

Tdap

With the Tdap vaccination, older adults can reduce their risk of developing tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis. Since these illnesses lead to extreme coughing, they can cause seniors to crack a rib or rupture a blood vessel.

Influenza

While the flu may seem harmless, it can actually turn into a very serious health problem for older adults. Therefore, senior citizens should get the influenza or flu vaccine once a year. There is senior specific influenza vaccine with a higher dose that some doctors may recommend to their senior patients.

Shingles

Approximately half of the 1 million Americans who get shingles, a contagious, painful rash, each year are seniors. Fortunately, the shingles vaccine can help prevent or reduce a shingles outbreak by about 50 percent. Even seniors who have already had shingles are encouraged to get vaccinated to help prevent future outbreaks.

Pneumococcal

Over 60,000 people die from pneumonia each year. Due to the fact that older adults are more likely to contract it, it’s essential for them to get the pneumococcal vaccine. Although this is a one time vaccination, anyone over the age of 65 can get a repeat one once 5 years have passed since their original shot.

Hepatitis B

Also known as hep B, hepatitis B is defined as a contagious virus that impairs the liver. The hepatitis B vaccine is a series of three or four injections that a senior can receive over a six month time frame. This vaccine is particularly important to older adults that have diabetes, hemophilia, or another condition that reduces their resistance to infection.

To determine which vaccinations are right for your senior, it’s best to consult their physician. After examining their health history and current health condition, they can inform them of which vaccines they should and should not receive.