Yahoo Lifestyle The #1 Surprising Mistake People Over 50 Make Before Their Annual Vaccines
"Roll up your sleeves and get vaccinated." The PSAs become ubiquitous in the late summer and fall when thoughts drift to peak respiratory illness season (hello, flu!). However, older adults may be due for other vaccines they can get at any time, such as the shingles vaccine. Another slogan, "age is nothing but a number," may be an excellent motivator for someone looking to run their first marathon or sign up for a dating app at 55, but it is generally untrue regarding how our bodies react to illness.
"As people age, their immune system becomes less robust, and viral infections hit harder, so vaccines are even more important the older you get," says Dr. Scott Roberts, MD, an assistant professor and infectious disease expert at Yale School of Medicine.
Avoiding common vaccine mistakes when you're over 50 is also important. Doctors say they see one in particular for various reasons. They shared the No. 1 mistake people over 50 make before getting their annual vaccines, why it happens and how to avoid it.
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The No. 1 Surprising Mistake People 50+ Make Before Getting Vaccinated
Not getting getting the vaccines available to them—or any at all—is the biggest no-no, as well as the most common.
"People often assume they only need a yearly flu shot," Dr. Yoshua Quinones, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to labfinder.com, says. "However, there are other vaccines that may be appropriate for their age."
Another doctor sees this misstep often, too.
"There are several vaccines recommended for all adults which often don’t get received," says Dr. David Cutler, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John's Health Center.
Dr. Cutler says these vaccines include:
Flu shot (annual)
COVID (annual)
Bacterial pneumonia (for adults 50 and older, discuss frequency needs with your doctor)
TDap (every 10 years)
RSV (annual for people 75 and older and those 60 and older with specific conditions)
Shingles (for adults 50 and older, discuss frequency needs with your doctor)
Related: This Is the Exact Best Time To Get the Flu Shot To Make Sure You’re Protected All Season Long
Why People 50+ Miss Their Annual Vaccines
You'll notice that it's important to discuss the frequency and timing of vaccines with your provider, especially if you have specific conditions that may make you eligible for certain ones sooner. The problem? Dr. Quinones says one of the biggest reasons people skip their vaccines or don't get all the ones they are eligible for is that they miss annual physicals. These appointments allow them to speak with their provider about vaccines.
Additionally, some people may also be more nervous about the vaccine than the illness it protects them from.
"Getting people of any age to accept preventive therapy like vaccines is always a challenge," Dr. Cutler says. "Our minds are geared toward recognizing immediate, serious threats. So, if we know someone who might have had a bad reaction to a vaccine one time, that impacts our decision-making much more than knowing about millions of lives worldwide which have been saved due to vaccines."
Misinformation and disinformation don't help. For instance, a 2021 study found that people in Florida exposed to more misinformation were less likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine. People may also have misconceptions about the benefits of vaccines.
"I also see patients tell me they 'still get the flu' or 'got the vaccine and got sick anyways,'" Dr. Roberts says. "This is an incorrect way of thinking because many viruses circulate in the winter, so it's very possible that illness was a non-flu illness."
It's also possible the vaccine saved a person a hospital trip – or their life.
"The goal of vaccination is to make the disease milder, not necessarily to prevent infection outright," Dr. Roberts says. "Maybe that illness that would have put them in the hospital if they were unvaccinated became an outpatient illness due to the protection from vaccine."
Also, about those rumors that people with egg allergies can't get the flu vaccine: They're untrue, says Dr. Grant Fowler, MD, the chair of family medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU.
Indeed, the CDC reports that people with an egg allergy can get an egg-based or non-egg-based flu shot if it's otherwise considered A-OK for their age and health.
People with egg allergy may receive any flu vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status.
How To Avoid Missing Your Annual Vaccines
1. Use reliable resources
Reliable sources can arm you with the correct, current information on vaccines you're eligible to receive.
Dr. Roberts suggests using the CDC website. The CDC also has a committee called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which has specific resources that might help.
"[These resources] will include the most up-to-date information on vaccines that are rapidly changing year-to-year," Dr. Robert says. "COVID and RSV vaccination, for example, have changed a lot since 2020. I also look at my local public health department on the own and state levels websites to see hours and locations for vaccine clinics near me."
Your doctor can also provide personalized advice and address any questions or concerns. Dr. Quinones suggests using them as a resource.
Related: Get the Facts! We're Debunking 9 Common Myths About Seasonal Flu
2. Set reminders
Life is busy, but preventative care like vaccines is a worthy item for your to-do list. As basic as it sounds, ensuring you remember to get your annual vaccines sets you up for success. Dr. Quinones recommends writing it on your calendar or setting annual reminders on your phone.
3. Schedule together
Some shots, like shingles, require multiple doses. However, as long as you've received initial doses of COVID and flu vaccines, you're good to get just one (per year). Scheduling them for the same date and time helps you avoid multiple trips (and life getting in the way of self-care).
"We...know the vaccines are very safe and can be given together," Dr. Roberts says.
4. Avoid getting vaccines if you are sick
Vaccines can help you avoid getting seriously ill, even if you catch a virus. However, Dr. Fowler doesn't suggest getting them when under the weather, especially if you are running a fever.
"If you feel worse after the vaccine, you wouldn’t know if it was a vaccine side effect or your illness — same with fever," Dr. Fowler says. "If you have a problem after a vaccine, you may not want to take it again or your health care provider might even think you had a bad side effect."
Up Next:
Related: Will We Need a Yearly COVID Booster, Just Like the Flu Shot?
Sources:
Dr. Scott Roberts, MD, an assistant professor and infectious disease expert at Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Yoshua Quinones, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to labfinder.com
Dr. David Cutler, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Vaccine Hesitancy and Exposure to Misinformation: a Survey Analysis. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Flu Vaccines and People with Egg Allergies. CDC.
Dr. Grant Fowler, MD, the chair of family medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU.
