Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get Your Vaccines

For good health, stay up to date on vaccines at every age.

Getting vaccinated against diseases is a safe and effective way to help protect your health. While many people think this is most important for children, it’s also essential for adults to be aware of when to get certain vaccines as they get older.

Which Vaccines Do Adults Need?

In addition to an annual flu shot, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends vaccinations for:

• Pneumococcal disease, which includes pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections—People 65 and older
• Shingles—People 50 and older
• Tdap shot to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, followed by a Tdap shot every 10 years to continue protection against tetanus and diphtheria—All adults

Why Get Vaccinated?

Getting vaccinated has many benefits for yourself and the people around you.

“As we age, we have a higher chance of getting certain diseases, like shingles,” says Tashina Ahumada, Medical Assistant at Carson Tahoe Dayton Medical Center. “It can also be more difficult for seniors to recover from pneumonia and other diseases.”

Because your immune system weakens as you get older, you become more susceptible to infectious diseases. You are also at a higher risk of developing complications. Being vaccinated greatly reduces your chances of developing disease, as well as helps to prevent you from spreading illness to those around you.

Questions about what vaccines you need? Find a provider at www.carsontahoe.com/directory.