by For the first time, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says adults as young as 50 can get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, significantly lowering the recommendation that was previously set at 65.
The CDC made its recommendation because older adults are at higher risk of pneumococcal disease, as are very young children, who are also recommended to get vaccinated.
It was a busy week for the CDC and vaccines: In addition to lowering the recommended age for the pneumonia vaccine, the health agency recommended a second dose of the freshly updated COVID vaccine for adults aged 65 and older and to younger immunocompromised people. at least six months after their last COVID injection.
Older adults receive specific vaccination recommendations because the risk of serious illness, particularly illness caused by respiratory viruses, often increases as adults age. But that means there’s a lot to keep track of. If you also take into consideration annual flu shots (October and November are excellent times to get vaccinated) and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine available to some, And Since some people may not even have received the last COVID vaccine before the CDC makes its recommendation for the second booster shot, it’s easy to lose track of which vaccines you need.
If you are at least 50 years old, here are the vaccines you are entitled to this fall and winter.
Pneumococcal vaccine: 50 years and older
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by various bacteria, viruses and fungi. One of the causes of pneumonia is infection with a type of bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease, and there is a vaccine for this. For the first time, it is recommended for people aged 50 and over.
In people with chronic illnesses affecting the lungs or airways, pneumonia is particularly dangerous. Besides lung infection, a pneumococcal vaccine can help protect against other diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including meningitis and blood infections.
In some cases where a person is at higher risk of pneumococcal disease, younger people are advised to get vaccinated as well. If you think you might benefit from additional protection, ask your doctor.
RSV vaccine: everyone aged 75 and over, and some aged 60 and over
It is recommended that everyone aged 75 and older receive an RSV vaccine, according to the CDC.
Adults aged 60 to 74 can also receive an RSV vaccine if they have a health problem that makes them more susceptible to severe RSV, which causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract (airways). This includes adults in their 60s and early 70s with heart disease, lung disease or a weakened immune system; some people with diabetes or obesity; and those who live in a retirement home.
If you are not yet 75 years old and you are not sure whether you need an RSV vaccine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Also, unlike the flu and COVID vaccines, the RSV vaccine is not considered an annual shot at this time, so if you’ve already received one, you don’t need one other.
Flu shots: everyone
It is recommended that everyone aged six months and older, with rare exceptions, be vaccinated against the flu every year. It is especially important for older people to get vaccinated, however, because serious illness is more likely in older people and vaccination works by reducing the risk of serious illness.
There are different types of flu vaccines, and older people are usually offered a higher dose vaccine, which provides greater immunity. For more information, you can read about this year’s flu vaccine.
First COVID shot 2024-2025: everyone
As we are no longer in a pandemic and COVID is now spreading more predictably, COVID vaccination guidelines have become more streamlined and similar to the rollout of annual flu shots. In the same way that flu vaccines are updated every year, health officials have selected vaccines that target a newer version of COVID that is making people sick.
Anyone six months or older, with rare exceptions, can receive an updated COVID shot for 2024-2025. Adults have the choice between three brands: Moderna, Pfizer or Novavax. To learn more about this year’s COVID vaccines, find out how Novavax compares to the two mRNA shots.
Second COVID injection 2024-2025: 65 and over, and some younger cases
This week, the CDC recommended that a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine be offered to adults this season if they are 65 or older or immunocompromised.
Above all, it is recommended to do it six months after your first. This means that if you received an updated vaccine last month, in September, you would wait until March 2025 to receive the booster.
The CDC made its recommendation because it allows people and their doctors to decide whether they want additional protection based on their individual health conditions.
Other vaccinations and boosters to ask your doctor
Outside of respiratory virus season, there are other vaccines that adults should follow. The shingles vaccine, for example, is recommended for all adults age 50 and older.
The Tdap vaccine is also recommended every 10 years for most adults and protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. Some adults may also need a hepatitis vaccine.
To get the best advice for your specific health condition, ask your doctor if you are up to date on all the vaccinations you need.
