You may be surprised to learn that diseases, such as measles, are making a resurgence in 2025. Growing vaccine skepticism leads to a rise in cases of preventable diseases, which can drastically affect communities in Texas.
Senior vaccinations in Arlington, TX, are critical for maintaining a healthy lifestyle during your golden years. During National Immunization Awareness Month, vaccine education and preventive health for seniors are more important than ever.
Interested in learning more about how you can benefit from immunizations? Let's explore the importance of immunizations.
National Immunization Awareness Month(NIAM) occurs every August. Its main objective is to emphasize the importance of vaccines for people of all ages.
NIAM benefits communities by providing access to vaccine schedules. There are also various tools and education systems available to spread vaccine awareness and help vulnerable populations make appointments to get their immunizations.
When you picture vaccines, you may recall getting vital immunizations as a child. However, vaccines continue to offer many benefits as we age. With various pioneering studies and vaccine developments in the works, immunizations are beneficial for people of all ages.
Even if a vaccine does not completely prevent a disease from developing, it can still provide a degree of protection. Vaccines such as the Influenza immunization are a vital tool for protecting against the development of serious disease.
Seniors are an especially vulnerable population. Seasonal viruses that do not affect the younger population can lead to hospitalization or serious complications for older folks.
Wondering which vaccines may be beneficial to you as a senior in Arlington? Here are some of the most common immunizations to consider. Remember, talk to your doctor about which vaccines you may need.
The influenza shot is a yearly vaccine administered in late summer and early fall. Influenza cases tend to spike during the winter months. Colder temperatures allow for viruses to travel more easily in crowded indoor environments.
Influenza comes with a host of symptoms, including:
The flu vaccine is tailored every year based on the strain estimated by scientists and vaccine development teams. In general, the flu vaccine can boost your immune system with antibodies designed to fight off certain strains of the virus.
For younger and healthier populations, the influenza virus can cause serious symptoms that last from seven to 10 days. However, influenza can be disastrous or even deadly for seniors, which is why annual vaccination is so important.
The coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, is still evolving and producing new variants. Although the death rate has significantly declined due to a milder virus, COVID-19 can still cause complications, particularly in vulnerable populations like seniors.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary widely, and new symptoms appear as the virus evolves. However, here are some of the symptoms you can expect:
The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to reduce occurrences of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. It may also provide some degree of disease prevention and protection.
For seniors, annual booster shots are recommended to bolster immunity from developing serious symptoms, as well as lowering the overall risk of hospitalization and complications like long COVID.
Seniors and other vulnerable groups have a much higher risk of developing pneumonia, either as a standalone condition or as a complication of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) protect the population against various types of pneumococcal bacteria that can lead to pneumonia. The CDC recommends these vaccines for:
Beyond preventing pneumonia, PCVs also help prevent more serious conditions like meningitis and sepsis. For healthy, able-bodied patients, these diseases can be serious, but for seniors, they can be fatal.
Although the chicken pox vaccine was available in the United States beginning in 1995, many older folks suffered from the virus as children. Even if you didn't develop complications from chicken pox, you're still at risk for shingles.
Shingles is characterized by:
Shingles vaccinations are generally recommended to patients aged 50 and older, who are more likely to have suffered from chicken pox as children.
The Tdap vaccination combats three diseases that can cause significant issues for those who contract them:
For those residing in senior living communities, these vaccinations are still important to prevent the spread of viruses between residents.
Typically, RSV poses minimal risk to most individuals; however, it can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations, especially seniors.
RSV spreads primarily through respiratory droplets. That means it can infect many people participating in activities in close spaces.
If you suffer from lung and respiratory issues such as asthma or heart disease, you may be even more at risk of serious infection or complications if you contract RSV.
For seniors, education through events such as National Immunization Awareness Month is crucial for senior vaccinations in Arlington. With these Arlington Plaza health tips, you can determine which immunizations are necessary for you to have a full and enjoyable senior lifestyle.
At communities such as Arlington Plaza Senior Living, we emphasize the health and wellness of all of our residents. With amenities such as exercise equipment and enriching senior activities, our senior residents can lead an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Are you ready to see it for yourself? Reach out to us today or come to our location in Arlington, TX, to experience our vibrant community in person. We can't wait to meet you!