Enhanced Vaccines Reduce Risk for Older Adults
A recent study has shown that enhanced vaccines can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization from the flu in older adults. Compared with the standard flu shot, these enhanced vaccines can lower the risk by 11 to 18 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC advises adults over 65 to receive these enhanced vaccines, emphasizing the importance of vaccination for older populations. While many individuals value vaccination for personal and community health benefits, some still follow recommendations without considering the broader community-wide impact.
It is crucial to understand that older adults face a higher risk of complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. Despite misconceptions that vaccines are only for children, there are now 15 diseases that adults aged 65 and older should be vaccinated against.
Addressing Challenges in Vaccinating Older Adults
The first AGS Symposium titled “Update on Vaccination Strategies for Older Adults: Matching the Approach to the Individual and the Care Setting” highlighted the importance of vaccination in fortifying older adults against preventable infections and diseases. With the global population aging, vaccination has become a key strategy for promoting healthy aging.
While progress has been made in developing adult vaccines, challenges such as immunosenescence and vaccine hesitancy persist. Efforts are underway to address these challenges and increase vaccination rates among older populations. This includes recent approvals of vaccines for diseases like COVID-19 and RSV, offering new opportunities for protecting older adults.
Enhancing Vaccination Rates for Older Adults
Only a small percentage of adults aged 60 and older are up to date on all recommended vaccines, indicating a need to improve vaccination rates in this age group. Collaborative efforts across primary care clinics in the U.S. are working on implementing strategies to increase vaccination rates for older adults.
As the global population ages, the importance of vaccination for older adults cannot be overstated. It is essential to prioritize older adults, especially the most vulnerable, in vaccination efforts to protect against preventable diseases and promote healthy aging.
