Labor Day introduced cooler temperatures in my neck of the woods this yr, which jogged my memory of the altering seasons. This time of yr is when your ideas could also be turning to all the vaccinations that is perhaps wanted by you and the residents in your care. Right here’s what you should know.
Flu
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices simply launched its 2024–25 influenza season suggestions final week.
Flu season is October via Might in the USA. Vaccination usually is really useful for anybody six months outdated or older, however it’s particularly necessary for older adults as a result of they’re extra in danger for critical sicknesses, hospitalizations and deaths from the flu than youthful folks, in accordance with the company.
This yr, the ACIP recommends that anybody aged 65 or extra years get any one of many following higher-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines:
- The high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV3),
- The recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV3), or
- The adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine (aIIV3).
The upper-dose vaccines are amongst these really useful as a result of different influenza vaccines usually are much less efficient in older adults. If not one of the three above vaccines is offered at a possibility for somebody to get vaccinated, nonetheless, then some other age-appropriate influenza vaccine needs to be administered, ACIP says.
Typically, the CDC recommends that long-term care employees get vaccinated in opposition to the flu and COVID to guard themselves, their households and people for whom they care. Some states require these and different vaccinations of healthcare employees. You’ll want to verify together with your native authorities about what could also be required of you.
Learn extra about ACIP’s flu vaccination suggestions right here.
COVID-19
The Meals and Drug Administration accredited and approved the 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines on Aug. 22 and the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted (2024 – 2025 method) below emergency use authorization on Aug. 30. The CDC recommends that individuals who stay and work in long-term care settings get one dose of a COVID vaccine.
“For those who stay or work in a long-term care (LTC) setting, you may assist defend your self and the folks round you by getting your up to date COVID-19 vaccine,” the federal company stated.
Stopping COVID could also be a solution to stop the growing listing of illnesses that stem from it. A big-scale examine involving greater than 18 million folks in England, as an example, revealed a major affiliation between COVID-19 analysis and subsequent psychological well being points. Notably, a examine subgroup analyses prompt stronger associations in older age teams and in males. (Learn extra right here.)
Listed here are suggestions and knowledge from the CDC associated to long-term care residents and COVID vaccination.
(One facet observe, in case you missed it: Free COVID exams might be accessible once more on the finish of September. Right here’s extra data.)
RSV
As of June, the ACIP recommends that adults aged 75 or extra years, in addition to these aged 60 to 74 years who’re at elevated danger of extreme respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, get an RSV vaccine. These at elevated danger embody folks with diabetes, coronary heart illness, weight problems or kidney illness.
“Although not particularly really useful for healthcare employees, the RSV vaccine may also be thought of for individuals who are at larger danger for extreme sickness and hospitalization from RSV,” the CDC says. “In case you are above age 60 or are presently pregnant, seek the advice of together with your healthcare supplier to find out if the RSV vaccine is best for you.”
Learn extra about healthcare employees and RSV vaccination right here.
Pneumococcal illness
Pneumococcal illness refers to any sickness attributable to pneumococcal micro organism, in accordance with the CDC. These micro organism could cause many sorts of pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, meningitis (an an infection of the tissue masking the mind and spinal twine) and bacteremia (a bloodstream an infection).
“Anybody can get pneumococcal illness, however kids below 2 years of age, folks with sure medical situations, adults 65 years or older, and cigarette people who smoke are on the highest danger,” in accordance with the company.
The CDC recommends that adults aged 65 years or older obtain the pneumococcal vaccine. PPSV23 protects in opposition to 23 sorts of micro organism that trigger pneumococcal illness and is really useful for this age group.
“Folks 65 years or older ought to get a dose of PPSV23 even when they’ve already gotten a number of doses of the vaccine earlier than they turned 65,” the company stated.
Learn extra about pneumococcal vaccination and long-term care right here.
For all vaccines, please verify with well being authorities relating to your particular state of affairs.
Lois A. Bowers is the editor of McKnight’s Senior Dwelling. Learn her different columns right here. Observe her on X (previously Twitter) at Lois_Bowers.
