Vaccine Recommendations for Older Adults - Lots of Benefits and Minimal Risk for Most People

Vaccine recommendations for older adults can be confusing. However, there is more and more evidence that keeping up with appropriate vaccinations can provide a number of long-term health benefits and some vaccines may even help reduce your risk of dementia. Here’s what adults 55+ need to know to stay protected and make informed decisions.

Congratulations. You have made it to your 50s, 60s, or beyond and you’re probably doing a solid job of staying on top of your health. But when it comes to vaccines, a lot of adults in this age group aren’t sure what they actually need anymore. Are their childhood vaccines enough? Do boosters reset everything? It is not always clear, and the recommendations have changed over the years. Here is a short and helpful guide to vaccine recommendations for older adults.  

As always, check with your personal physician before getting any medication, including vaccines, especially if you have had a bad reaction in the past.  Simply having a sore arm the next day, feeling tired, or having a low grade fever are not serious reactions, unless they last more than a couple of days.  Developing hives, a high fever, or becoming seriously ill should be reported to your doctor.

Yes, You Still Need Vaccines

Your immune system does not work the same way at 65 as it did at 25. It becomes less efficient at recognizing and fighting off new threats, which is why certain infections hit harder as you get older. It is also why vaccination is even more important the older you get.  Many people over the age of 65 are still dying every year from common illnesses such as the flu and covid, and the majority of those deaths are in the unvaccinated.  

The Flu Vaccine

The flu vaccine gets updated every year because the virus changes every year. Adults 65 and older are eligible for high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines, which are specifically designed to produce a stronger immune response in older immune systems. And yes, you need it every single year. You can protect against the deadly flu virus with this one annual step, and it’s widely available at pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and community health clinics.  

Some people complain that they have gotten the flu after having the flu vaccine.  This is true, especially during the first two weeks after receiving the vaccine, since it is not fully in effect.  It can also happen after five or six months, because its protection has started to wane.  In addition, sometimes the flu vaccine is not a perfect match for the type of flu which is circulating.  However, even in these cases, your case of the flu is less likely to become fatal, if you have been vaccinated.

COVID-19 Boosters

COVID-19 vaccines and updated boosters remain important for older adults. Your doctor can tell you which version you have received and whether you are due for an updated dose. The CDC updates its recommendations as new variants emerge, so stay in contact with your healthcare provider.  Covid has evolved a number of times since it first emerged, and the vaccine is updated every year to match the type that is circulating.  While most Americans have now been vaccinated at least once, it is important to continue to get annual vaccines to protect yourself from new variations.

RSV Vaccine

RSV is the shortened name for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus.  It causes serious infections of the lungs and respiratory system.  While it is a mild and common infection in most adults, it can be serious in young children and the elderly.  Ask your physician if they recommend you receive the RSV vaccine.

The Shingles Vaccine

Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, is recommended for adults 50 and older. It’s given in two doses spread two to six months apart. Shingles is a painful reactivation of the chickenpox virus that never fully leaves your body, and the vaccine is over 90 percent effective at preventing it.  Trust me. Shingles is painful and not something you want to risk getting.

Vaccinations and Dementia

The whole body inflammation that occurs when someone experiences Shingles is so intense that it increases your risk of later developing dementia.  As a result, getting vaccinated against Shingles and other highly inflammatory diseases such as the flu may reduce your risk of later getting dementia.  I cannot think of a better reason to see your doctor at least annually and keep up with your scheduled vaccines than the fact that some vaccines are associated with a lower dementia risk in later life, because they have reduced the total amount of time you have spent having highly inflammatory illnesses.

The Pneumonia Vaccines

The pneumococcal vaccines, which protect against bacterial pneumonia, are also recommended for adults 65 and older. Your doctor will help you figure out which version you need based on what you have already received. Of course, you may still get viral pneumonia, so it doesn't protect you against all causes of pneumonia, but at least you will be protected from bacterial pneumonia. This is important because pneumonia is a common cause of death in the elderly.

Other Common Vaccines Your Doctor May Suggest

Depending on your activities and family situation, your doctor may also suggest other vaccinations that need to be updated, such as your tetanus vaccine, the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), or the pertussis vaccine, especially if there is a new grandchild in the family and you want to protect them from whooping cough and other diseases.  

If you will be traveling to other countries, you may also need to get vaccinated against some tropical diseases which are rare in the U.S., but common in other places.  Personally, I have been vaccinated against a wide variety of tropical diseases because of trips I have taken to places like Fiji and Central America. Check with your doctor to see what they recommend.  They may refer you to a tropical disease specialist.  Give them the list of places you plan to visit, and they will match it against their list of common diseases which are spreading in those countries. Then, they can give you the appropriate vaccines. Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than becoming ill with a preventable illness.

Scientists are also actively studying other types of vaccines against diseases which can harm humans, so be open to new vaccines which may become available in the future. They could save your life.

Common Concerns Older Adults Have About Vaccines

A lot of older people have questions about vaccines which they may feel awkward bringing up. Let’s address some big ones to put your mind at ease.

Do Vaccines Mix With Medications?

One of the most common questions is whether vaccines are safe when you are already managing other health conditions or taking multiple medications. In most cases, the answer is yes, they are safe, but your doctor reviews your full health picture before making any recommendation.

Will the Side Effects Be Worse Because of Your Age?

In general, age does not determine how intense vaccination side effects will be. Soreness, mild fatigue, and a low-grade fever are normal responses that show your immune system is responding. Those side effects are not dangerous, and they typically pass within a day or two.

In some rare cases, you may have a serious auto-immune disease, an infection, or may be getting treatments for another disease and, as a result, you are not eligible to receive vaccinations at that time. Discuss this with your doctors and be sure to take other precautions, such as wearing a face mask, to help you avoid exposure to any other serious illnesses.  If you are being treated for cancer, for example, you do not want to be fighting Covid or the flu at the same time. Listen to your doctor and follow their recommendations so you stay as healthy as possible.

Are Today’s Vaccines Safe?

The world has changed a lot, including in its pharmaceutical standards. Fortunately, vaccine changes in the last few decades have been for the better. Reputable clinics and pharmacies follow strict protocols at every step of the process. For instance, continuous temperature monitoring is important for vaccines, and reputable providers make sure nothing falls outside safe ranges from the moment a vaccine shipment arrives to the moment it is administered. Staff are also trained to check expiration dates, inspect vials, and follow proper injection techniques. Rest assured, if you receive your vaccine from a trustworthy source, you are in good hands.

How To Know What Vaccines You Need

The best starting point is a conversation with your primary care doctor. Bring any vaccine records you have, or ask your pharmacy to pull your history. The CDC also maintains an adult immunization schedule you can reference online. Moreover, your pharmacist is a reliable resource and can administer many of these vaccines without a separate doctor’s visit.

Staying Current Without the Confusion

We hope this guide to vaccine recommendations for older adults has been helpful. Now, it is time to ask your doctor to review your records at your next appointment. Do not wait for a health scare before you try to get caught up with your vaccinations. As always, check with your personal physician before making any healthcare decisions.

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Can Routine Vaccines Reduce Dementia Risk as You Age? What Else Lowers Your Risk?

 Unlike most topics which are covered here, I was hesitant to discuss the subject of vaccines because they have become so controversial.  However, the October 2023 AARP Bulletin reported on an interesting study about the relationship between vaccines and dementia.  It may or may not affect your decision to stay up-to-date with your routine vaccinations, but it may help some people make a thoughtful decision.

The core discovery from Paul E Schulz, an M.D. and Professor of Neurology, as well as the Director of the Neurocognitive Disorders Center at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Center in Houston, said "There is the potential fringe benefit of vaccination, which is reducing the risk of Alzheimer's."

Fascinating, to say the least!

Of course, this does not mean that everyone who gets vaccinated for the flu and other diseases will never get dementia.  It also does not mean that everyone who decides against being vaccinated will definitely develop dementia.  It only means that getting regular vaccinations for common illnesses like the flu, Covid and Shingles will improve your odds of avoiding dementia.  

Researchers have long observed that our behaviors during our adult lives play a significant part in determining whether or not we will have dementia in later years.  Getting our vaccines may be just one more factor we need to consider. 

What are the Facts About Vaccines and Dementia Risk?

Researchers such as Schulze from the University of Texas, as well as other researchers around the world, have made the following observations:

1.  People who get vaccinated for the flu and other infectious diseases are less likely to get dementia. They speculate that it might be because, when you get sick from the flu and other infections, we become more likely to get dementia. They aren't certain, but they have observed that there seems to be a relationship between vaccines and dementia which indicates that vaccines appear to offer a substantial protection to the brain.  

2.  When they compared two groups of 935,887 patients each, in the U.S,  researchers learned that those who had at least one flu vaccine over a four year period were 40% LESS likely to develop Alzheimer's, compared to people who were not vaccinated.  The more vaccinations the patients had received, the better off they were.  It does appear that vaccines are causing people to be protected against some types of dementia.

3.  The flu vaccine was not the only vaccination which seemed to protect against dementia. When elderly people received the Shingles vaccine in Wales, the group who were vaccinated had about a 20% lower dementia risk over a seven year period compared to those who were not vaccinated against Shingles.

4.  When Schulze and other researchers at the University of Texas studied the effects of a variety of vaccines, including those for shingles, pneumococcal pneumonia, and the Tdap vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough), they discovered that those who were vaccinated against these diseases also had a lower rate of dementia. 

5.  Virologist Robert T. Schooley, an M.D. and infectious disease specialist at the University of California in San Diego, also noticed that people who have chronic inflammation from diseases such as HIV show signs of faster cognitive decline.  This indicates that diseases which seem unrelated to Alzheimer's may still play a factor in developing dementia.

6.  It seems that using vaccines to avoid a wide variety of diseases can play a significant role in avoiding dementia.   

What Else Can You Do to Reduce Your Dementia Risk?

Researchers at the University of California in Irvine, the Cleveland Clinic, as well as others, have also discovered additional ways to avoid or postpone dementia.  Sometimes they are called the Six Pillars of Brain Health. These include:

1.  Eat a healthy diet with a "plant-slant."  Good examples are the Mediterranean Diet and the MIND Diet.

2.  Get regular exercise, at least 150 minutes a week, to increase the blood flow to your brain.

3.   Exercise your brain with activities such as reading books and working puzzles in order to slow down cognitive decline.

4.   Get at least seven hours of sleep each night to help your brain "cleanse" itself and remove the toxins that build up during the day. 

5.   Have regular physical exams and follow your doctor's instructions in order to stay as healthy as possible.  In particular, you want to do whatever you can to avoid strokes, heart disease and similar problems which can have a devastating effect on your brain.  Since Covid-19 has been shown to increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack in the following months, getting the Covid-19 vaccine is another way in which vaccinations could have a protective effect on your brain and lower your dementia risk.

6.   Socialize, socialize, socialize.  We need human connections, stimulating conversations, and a sense of being a part of a community in order to keep our brains operating at their best. 

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Many people believe that having a sense of gratitude can also help keep your brain healthy.  Being grateful for what we have and for the people in our lives is a good attitude to have for healthy mental health, and when working to maintain positive relationships with friends and families.  

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