The Importance of Vaccines

In 2020, COVID-19 changed our lives and how we view vaccines. Today, more Americans have received their initial vaccines and are following up with regularly scheduled booster shots than ever before. But COVID vaccines aren’t the only type you should be considering this fall.

Flu Vaccines

Every year, more than 10% of Americans catch the flu. Each flu season is different, and each flu strain can affect people differently. That’s why it’s important to get the vaccine each year to protect yourself and loved ones from illness. The flu vaccine has been shown to have many benefits including reduced risk of illness, hospitalization, and even flurelated death. In 2019-2020 alone, the flu vaccine prevented an estimated 7.5 million flu illnesses and an estimated 105,000 flurelated hospitalizations.

Pneumonia Shots

Seniors should also consider receiving a Pneumonia shot. In the US, more than 250,000 individuals are hospitalized annually for pneumonia, and approximately 50,000 of those hospitalizations result in death. Adults aged 65 years or older are at a higher risk of catching bacterial pneumonia, as well as people with certain conditions including diabetes and chronic heart diseases. Pneumonia vaccines are shown to be highly effective at protecting against and reducing symptoms of the disease.

Shingles

Another vaccination that may go overlooked by seniors is the Shingles vaccine. Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that may have affected people as a child--the chicken pox. The CDC recommends that adults aged 50 and older receive two doses of the vaccine to prevent occurrence of the disease. In fact, the vaccines have been shown to be up to 97% effective in adults aged 50 to 69 and 91% effective in seniors over 70.

Vaccinations help protect us from harmful diseases while lessening the impact of symptoms.

They also aid in recovery time. Depending upon your insurance coverage they may even be low cost or no-cost to you. With many pharmacies and grocery stores offering them regularly they’re easy to get.

So, what’s holding you back? Talk to your pharmacist or other healthcare professional today about getting vaccinated.

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Jay Pagni. Jay is the Vice President of Legislative and Government Affairs with PA Health & Wellness and may be reached by email at Jay.A.Pagni@PAHealthWellness. com. See ad page 2.