With Thanksgiving tomorrow, holiday season is likely to see an uptick in the spread of respiratory viruses. It also serves as a reminder to take extra care of your health, which includes getting vaccinated to prevent severe illness.
If you’re an adult 50 or older, you’ve got a few to keep in mind. For the first time this year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that adults as young as 50 can get vaccinated against a pneumococcal pneumonia, significantly lowering the recommendation that was previously set at age 65.
The CDC made its recommendation because older adults are at higher risk of pneumococcal disease, along with very young children, who are also recommended for the vaccine.
In addition to lowering the age recommendation for the pneumonia shot, the health agency this fall recommended a second dose of the freshly updated COVID vaccine to adults age 65 and up, and younger people who are immunocompromised, at least six months after their last COVID shot.
Older adults are given specific vaccine recommendations because risk of severe disease, particularly disease from respiratory viruses, often increases as adults age. But that means there’s a lot to keep track of. If you’re also taking into consideration annual flu vaccines (October and November are excellent times to get a shot) and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine available to some, and the fact that some people may not have even received the latest COVID vaccine before the CDC made its recommendation for the second booster, it’s easy to lose track of which vaccines you need.
If you’re at least 50, here’s which vaccines you’re eligible for this fall and winter season.
Pneumococcal vaccine: Age 50 and up
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses and fungi. One cause of pneumonia is infection with a type of bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease, and there’s a vaccine for it. For the first time, it’s recommended for people age 50 and up.
In folks with chronic conditions that affect their lungs or airways, pneumonia is particularly dangerous. Aside from lung infection, a pneumococcal vaccine can help protect against other illnesses caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including meningitis and bloodstream infections.
In certain cases where someone is at higher risk of pneumococcal disease, younger people are advised to get a vaccine, too. If you think you may benefit from extra protection, ask your doctor.
RSV vaccine: Everyone age 75 and up, and some as young as 60
All folks age 75 and up are recommended for an RSV vaccine, according to the CDC.
Adults between the ages of 60 and 74 may also get an RSV vaccine if they have a health condition that makes them more susceptible to severe RSV, which causes infections in the lungs and respiratory tract (airway). This includes adults in their 60s and early 70s with heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system; some people with diabetes or obesity; and those living in a nursing home.
If you aren’t quite 75 and aren’t sure whether you need an RSV vaccine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Also, unlike flu and COVID vaccines, the vaccine for RSV isn’t considered an annual shot at this time, so if you’ve already gotten one, you don’t need another.
Flu vaccines: Everyone
Everyone age six months and up, with rare exceptions, is recommended for an annual flu vaccine. It’s especially important for older adults to get the shot, though, since severe illness is more likely in older adults and vaccination works by reducing the likelihood of severe disease.
There are different types of flu vaccines available, and older adults are typically offered a higher-dose vaccine, which gives more immunity. For more information, you can read about this year’s flu vaccine.
First 2024-2025 COVID shot: Everyone
As we’re no longer in a pandemic, and COVID is now spreading more predictably, vaccine guidance for COVID has become more streamlined and similar to the rollout of annual flu shots. Similar to how influenza vaccines are updated each year, health officials have selected vaccines that target a more recent version of COVID that’s making people sick.
Everyone age six months or older, with rare exceptions, can get an updated 2024-2025 COVID shot. Adults have their choice from three brands: Moderna, Pfizer or Novavax. For more on this year’s COVID vaccines, read about how Novavax compares to the two mRNA shots.
Second 2024-2025 COVID shot: 65 and up, and some younger cases
This week, the CDC recommended a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine be offered to adults this season if they’re 65 or older or if they’re immunocompromised.
Importantly, it’s recommended six months after your first one. This means if you got an updated vaccine last month, in September, you’d wait until March 2025 to get the booster.
The CDC made its recommendation because it allows for “flexibility” for people and their doctors to decide whether to boost with additional protection based on their individual health.
The shingles vaccine, and other shots to ask your doctor about
Outside of respiratory virus season, there are other vaccines adults should keep on top of. The vaccine against shingles, for example, is recommended for all adults age 50 and older.
The Tdap vaccine is also recommended every 10 years for most adults, and it protects against tetanus, diphtheria and also whooping cough. Some adults may also need a hepatitis vaccine.
To get the best guidance for your specific health, ask your doctor whether you’re up to date on all the vaccines you need.
