7 vaccinations are important for elderly people. The thing is, as the body ages, the immune system weakens. Therefore, additional protection helps ensure that the disease progresses less severely without serious complications.
Influenza
Individuals aged 60 and above should receive a flu shot once a year.
This is recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Vaccination not only reduces the risk of severe illness but also complications that can accompany the flu in older people, such as heart attack, stroke, or pneumonia.
The best time for the flu shot is October or November.
Pneumococcus
In many cases, pneumococci cause pneumonia.
These bacteria can also cause inflammation of the nasal sinuses, middle ear, or meninges. In the worst case, a pneumococcal infection can lead to a fatal outcome.
To reduce the risk of such an infection, elderly people should get at least one pneumococcal vaccination. It can be renewed after six years if the doctor deems it beneficial.
Shingles (Gürtelrose)
Anyone who had chickenpox in childhood is at risk.
The virus remains in the body for life and can later, especially after the age of 60, cause shingles. This is a disease that should not be taken lightly. Shingles can cause blisters on the skin, for example, around the torso and chest, accompanied by intense pain.
To prevent this disease as much as possible, it is recommended to get two vaccinations with an interval of two to six months.
Covid-19
In addition to the basic immunization, individuals aged 60 and above are recommended to undergo booster vaccination annually.
This should be done no later than twelve months after the last vaccination or infection. Autumn is the best time for this. A Covid-19 vaccination can be done simultaneously with the flu shot.
Tetanus
An illness caused by bacteria, always triggered by an injury. Victims suffer from muscle spasms, which can be particularly severe in elderly individuals.
To prevent this, vaccination is recommended every ten years.
Diphtheria
There are two forms of diphtheria:
- Symptoms such as swelling of the neck lymph nodes;
- Paralysis of the thumb belong to respiratory diphtheria.
With cutaneous or wound diphtheria, fatty deposits appear on small wounds. After the basic immunization, diphtheria revaccination should be carried out every ten years.
The diphtheria vaccine is administered in combination with the tetanus vaccine.
FSME
This abbreviation stands for tick-borne encephalitis.
It is an infectious disease transmitted through tick bites. Vaccination is recommended when planning trips or residing in a risk zone where there are many ticks.
These are the 7 vaccinations that are important for elderly people. Ignoring them is not advisable to avoid health problems.
Related topics:
The importance of getting a flu shot annually for individuals aged 60 and above is emphasized by the Stiko of the RKI, as it can reduce the risk of severe illness and complications such as heart attack, stroke, or pneumonia.
Given that anyone who had chickenpox in childhood is at risk, it's recommended for elderly people to get two vaccinations against shingles with an interval of two to six months to prevent this disease.
