TULLAHOMA, TN (August 18, 2020) - Americans are constantly redefining what is considered “old.” Sixty is the new 50; 70 is the new 60 and we all live longer than ever before.

But as we age, we become more susceptible to illness and disease. For adults over the age of 60, these illnesses can be very serious. The good news is that many illnesses can be prevented through proper immunization.

In fact, adults over the age of 60 can lower their risk of developing influenza, pneumonia, shingles and tetanus through a simple injection. For older adults, vaccines are a preventable measure towards a healthier future.

Influenza
With flu season just around the corner, it is important for older adults to make getting the flu vaccine a top priority. A flu shot is the best prevention against contracting the flu. According to the National Institute on Aging, the flu vaccine reduces hospitalizations by about 70 percent and death by about 85 percent among older adults. The flu vaccine is recommended for adults age 65 and older, as well as persons of any age with chronic medical conditions, such as chronic heart, lung and kidney diseases.

Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a severe infection or inflammation of the lungs that, when combined with the flu, is the seventh leading cause of death in our country. Many pneumonias are caused by bacteria and a vaccine is available that prevents pneumonia from 23 types of pneumococcus bacteria. According to the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases, more than half of pneumococcal cases and nearly all deaths in adults could have been prevented with the vaccine. The shot can also prevent some of the serious complications of pneumonia, such as infection in the bloodstream and throughout the body.

The pneumococcal vaccine is usually given only once in a person’s lifetime and can be administered at the same time as the flu shot.

Shingles
Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. For people who have had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nerve tissues and reactivates when the body’s immune system is weakened by age or physical or emotional stress. The shingles vaccine, which was approved in 2006, is recommended for anyone over the age of 60 and for patients who have had shingles in the past.

Tetanus
When we think of tetanus, we often think of rusty nails. However, tetanus is much more than that. Tetanus is caused by bacteria that enter the body through wounds or cuts exposed to soil. Most people who develop tetanus infections are over the age of 65. It is recommended that children and adults receive the tetanus vaccine every 10 years.

Vaccinations are the best defense against illness. To receive additional information on adult vaccinations, visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules. Check with your primary care provider (PCP) to update your immunizations.