Recommended Vaccines for Seniors in Muscatine, Iowa

Influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are just some examples of pathogens (germs or microorganisms that cause diseases) that cause hundreds of infectious diseases, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anyone can get them, but some populations, including older adults, face an increased risk. Seniors' increased likelihood of acquiring these illnesses often has to do with age-related immune system impairment, also called "immunosenescence."

Getting the recommended vaccines for seniors in Muscatine, IA, is one of the most effective ways to combat such infections.

To that end, the team at Addington Place of Muscatine, our retirement village in Muscatine, the beautiful lakeside city that serves as the county seat of Muscatine County, IA, created this adult vaccines checklist guide. Read on to learn about the vaccines recommended for seniors, why older adults should consider them, and when to get them.

Influenza Vaccines

Influenza, more commonly known as the "flu," is a respiratory illness caused by influenza A and B viruses. It easily spreads through airborne droplets or secretions from people infected with either virus.

Older adults with the flu can experience minor to severe symptoms. They include:

Blocked or runny nose
Dry cough
Sore throat
Fever and chills
Body and muscle pain
Fatigue

Fluzone, a high-dose trivalent vaccine, is one of the several flu vaccines for adults 65+, according to Healthline. FLUAD, a standard-dose trivalent vaccine with an adjuvant (an "extra" ingredient that helps induce a stronger immune response), is another. Either vaccine can help boost the immunity of older adults against flu viruses, reducing their risk of getting ill from influenza.

Even if the germs "successfully" cause an illness, senior immunizations in IA for the flu can help reduce the severity of the symptoms and the likelihood of causing complications. Examples of flu-related complications are pneumonia (lung infection) and sinus and ear infections (which can contribute to hearing loss problems).

The viruses that cause influenza are most active during the winter season. Senior preventive care programs should therefore include inoculations against these pathogens administered in the fall or early winter. Older adults in Muscatine can also lower the risk of the virus from spreading with healthy hygiene habits, such as frequent hand washing, showering, and regular housekeeping and home cleaning.

COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19, another type of viral infection, is an illness that stems from the coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. It affects the respiratory system and, like the flu, spreads through droplets released by infected people.

COVID-19 symptoms can be mild to severe and often mimic those of the flu. The illness can be deadly, especially if severe, with the U.S. CDC saying it has claimed the lives of nearly 1.2 million individuals in the country as of June 1, 2024. To combat this potentially deadly infection, the CDC recommends getting annual COVID-19 shots.

Three vaccines are available for the 2024-2025 COVID-19 season, one of which older adults should include in their healthy aging support and illness-prevention plans. They include the latest versions of the following:

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

Since COVID-19 is most often active during winter and summer, seniors who've never had a vaccination against it should consider getting the shots as soon as possible. Booster shots are also available for those who've had vaccinations, which can help further strengthen their immunity against the virus.

Shingles Vaccine

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the pathogen that causes chickenpox, is the same virus that can cause shingles in older adults in Muscatine, IA. Shingles only affects those who've had chickenpox, as VZV can remain dormant in the cells of a host for decades. The virus can then "resurface" as shingles when the host's immune system weakens, such as due to immunosenescence.

Shingles vaccines, like Shingrix, can help older adults reduce their risk of acquiring this viral infection, which can cause a painful, itchy rash and complications like nerve and brain problems.

RSV Vaccine

RSV is a virus that causes illnesses that share similar symptoms to the flu and COVID-19. It's among the most common causes of infections affecting the lungs and respiratory tract.

RSV disease isn't always severe or fatal, but it can be dangerous to older adults with impaired or declining immune functions. To minimize their risk, the U.S. CDC recommends getting one RSV vaccine dose anytime from August to October, which can protect against RSV disease and whose effects can last for two years or so. All adults 50 to 74 with a high risk of developing severe RSV and seniors 75 and older should consider getting the shot.

Older adults eligible for RSV vaccination can get it together with other vaccines, such as flu and shingles shots, if and when needed.

Pneumococcal Vaccines

Pneumococcal vaccines protect against pneumococcal disease caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus bacteria. The bacteria can cause several types of infections, including:

Lung infection (pneumonia)
Sinus infection (sinusitis)
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Bloodstream infection (bacteremia)
An infection of the meninges, which are the brain's and the spinal cord's lining (meningitis)

Pneumococcal disease symptoms vary depending on the infection's location. A middle ear infection, for instance, can manifest as hearing loss and ear pain. Meningitis, on the other hand, can cause high fever, severe headaches, and sometimes even seizures.

Since pneumococcal disease is contagious and can lead to severe illnesses, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) recommends that adults 50+ receive pneumococcal vaccination. While the vaccines (e.g., PCV15, PCV20, PCV21, or PPSV23) aren't 100% guaranteed to stop all infections, they can still help reduce the risk of severe symptoms and complications.

Combat Infections With Recommended Vaccines for Seniors

Immunization shots for flu, COVID-19, shingles, RSV, and pneumococcal disease are all recommended vaccines for seniors. They can help older adults better protect themselves from these infectious diseases and their complications.

At Addington Place of Muscatine, we encourage seniors to get inoculated while providing them with supportive services to help them age gracefully. Our personal care team happily assists with hygiene needs (e.g., showering), and we also keep our residents' homes clean and sanitary through regular housekeeping. We've also designed our senior-centric, chef-prepared dining and health and wellness programming to support healthy aging.

Does all that sound good to you? If so, we invite you to contact us today and tour our assisted living and memory care community in Muscatine, IA!