For seniors, consider the following vaccines.
– Tdap: This vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. A booster is recommended every 10 years to maintain immunity.
– Pneumococcal: helps guard against strep pneumonia, meningitis, and bacterial infections. While its effectiveness can wane over time, it’s worth considering if you have a condition like cancer, asthma, or are immunocompromised. For healthy individuals 65+, it may not be strictly necessary, but it’s a personal choice.
– Shingrix: This vaccine protects against shingles, a painful reactivation of the chickenpox virus. If you’ve had chickenpox as a child, I recommend getting the Shingrix vaccine after age 65.
The flu and COVID vaccines are commonly recommended, but I cover mRNA vaccines in a separate video.
Vaccines are an important part of staying healthy as we age. As always, I encourage you to make these decisions with your individual health needs in mind.
