There’s an ongoing public health problem: People once careful about vaccinating their children aren’t nearly as careful about protecting themselves as they age. Diseases such as influenza, pneumonia and shingles are particularly dangerous for older adults.
Most Americans over 65 get an annual flu shot, but the proportion actually declined a few percentage points during the 2015-16 Influenza season to about 63 percent. The C.D.C. estimates that of the 226,000 people hospitalized for flu in an average year, 50 to 70 percent are over 65; so are the vast majority of those who die from it.
In 2014, about 61 percent of older adults had received one or both of the two pneumococcal vaccines, which protect against infections that can lead to pneumonia and meningitis. That represented no improvement, leaving millions of older people still vulnerable.
About 58 percent of older people had been vaccinated against tetanus during the past 10 years, but only 14 percent had received the recommended dose of the Tdap vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. It’s important for all adults and others who have contact with infants to be vaccinated. Getting your annual vaccinations is the best way to protect yourself and your family. Vaccinations can reduce illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed work or school, as well as prevent hospitalizations.
Remember to spread the word to all. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from serious complications.
Source: www.cdc.gov