adult vaccination: Protect yourself, protect others
in the interests of promoting a more robust speech about the importance of regular vaccinations for serious but preventable communicable diseases, MHA @ GW is hosting a series of client in honor of the national consciousness immunization Month (NIAM). Throughout the month of August, we present leaders of opinion pieces and advocates in the field who have been invited to write about the importance of vaccination in 2015. Learn more about the project in our after the introduction.
by Ashley Huntsberry-Lett, AgingCare.com
As we age, our immune system begins to function less efficiently. Healing and immune responses slow significantly because the body produces less immune cells and antibodies. This increases the likelihood that the elderly fall ill. According to 2014 National Population Projections Census Bureau report, the projected number of Americans 65 and older will be 82.3 million in 2040. With the population soaring as baby boomers age, the impact on health is a subject of major concern for the country.
good nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep and a positive mindset can all help keep the immune system of an individual in the best conditions. However, a lifestyle all around health are not the only way to reduce the risk of illness related to age. Vaccinations play an important role in keeping every part of the healthy population -. Especially those with sensitive immune system
The Forum of caregivers of AgingCare.com are constantly looking for ways to keep their aging loved ones healthy and prevent diseases can have easy a huge impact on quality of life and longevity of an older individual. Preventive measures such as vaccination helps people avoid the pain and discomfort of being sick, and they cost a fraction of the cost of treating the disease itself. These costs of health care can include doctor visits, medications, tests and even hospitalization or nursing home placement, and become very expensive very quickly.
Each person who follows through with all recommended vaccines not only feel the benefits personally, but also helps the immunity of those around the herd. Although vaccines are not 100 percent effective for everyone, it is this widespread compliance that reduces the risk of infection for those who are unable to be vaccinated as young children, people who are allergic to components some vaccines, and people with compromised immune function due to things such as treatments against cancer, HIV / AIDS or Guillain-Barre syndrome.
common vaccinations administered to older people are shingles (herpes zoster), annual influenza (flu) shots, and pneumonia (pneumococcus). Each vaccine has guidelines and recommendations for eligible recipients and the specific administration procedures, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that seniors get the vaccine because they are at increased risk of these diseases and potentially succumb to them.
a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2013 showed that the use of the vaccine against influenza was associated with a lower risk of adverse major cardiovascular events in the year after vaccination. The human body responds to the flu virus with a lot of inflammation that can lead to heart attack, stroke or heart failure for people who already have cardiovascular problems. This is a serious connection because about 83.6 million adults in the United States have one or more types of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and about 66 percent of deaths from cardiovascular disease occur in people 75 years and older. This is only one example of how the inoculation can protect against a specific disease, and a variety of health-related complications.
Similarly, a person who contracts the flu can quickly develop a full pneumonia. According to the CDC, influenza and pneumonia weigh the eighth most common cause of death, having killed 56.979 people in 2013. However, older people are not the only ones who should be vaccinated. An annual injection or nasal spray for each member of your family will help you keep all the healthy world and will greatly reduce the likelihood that your aging loved is a life-threatening disease. Not to mention, most caregivers can not afford to get sick because they are directly responsible for someone else's care every day.
In addition to family members who receive all necessary vaccines, it is of utmost importance that health care workers and caregivers to stay current with their vaccinations. The CDC strongly recommends that long-term care workers receive annual vaccinations against influenza. As a caregiver or a health worker, it is part of your duty to inoculate you in order to prevent the spread of preventable diseases from patient to patient. This is especially important in institutional settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and others.
Compared to younger sections of society, there are some differences in the vaccination schedule and dosage for the elderly. Since immune function of elderly people is narrowing, doctors may recommend follow-doses of vaccines containing more antigens. When it comes to paying for vaccines, most health insurance plans cover the cost of preventive measures. Medicare beneficiaries (aged 65 and over who meet the eligibility criteria) can receive full or partial coverage for influenza, pneumococcal and hepatitis B vaccinations, and plans for prescription drugs (Part D) provide more complete coverage.
Vaccination is a powerful tool that helps protect the most vulnerable members of society from contagious diseases. Limiting the impact of diseases preventable by vaccination of older generations prevents long-term illness and unnecessary or premature placement in institutions such as nursing homes. Vaccines also reduce the risk of complications and even death. This simple collaborative effort can have multiple health benefits for millions of people.
Ashley Huntsberry-Lett is the editor for AgingCare.com, a website dedicated to providing information and quality support to caregivers who are looking after aging relatives. She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in English, and is currently working on his Master of Arts in Mass Communication with an emphasis in journalism at UF College of Journalism and Communications.
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