Have a chronic health condition? Get these vaccines.

It may be flu vaccine season, but it is also a perfect time for seniors to review which vaccines they have received — and which they still need. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all seniors receive the following four vaccines:

1. The seasonal flu vaccine (recommended for all ages, every year)
2. The pneumococcal vaccine (recommended for adults 65 and older, every year)
3. The shingles vaccine (recommended for adults 60 and older, every five years)
4. A Td booster shot (recommended for all ages, every ten years)

These vaccines are especially important for people who have Asthma, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Heart Disease, Lung Disease, as well as for those who have a weakened immune system.

If you are an older person and have one of the following chronic health conditions, you may need additional vaccines, as well. Discuss it with your doctor.

Asplenia

Asplenia is a condition in which a person either has no spleen, or has poor spleen function. People with asplenia need:

1. The Hib vaccine, which protects againstHaemophilus influenzae. This vaccine is only required once.
2. The Meningococcal vaccine, which protects against meningitis and other diseases of the brain and spinal cord membranes. This vaccine is only required once, though some people will require boosters.
3. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. This vaccine is only required once.

Diabetes

Diabetics under 60 need the Hep B vaccine, since they are at higher risk of Hepatitis B than the nondiabetic population. The Hep B vaccine is given in three doses.

Since the effectiveness of the Hep B vaccine decreases with age, diabetics over 60 should talk to their healthcare provider about whether they should receive this vaccine.

Kidney Disease

Those with kidney failure or kidney disease should receive:

1. The Hep B vaccine, which protects against Hepatitis B. This vaccine is given in three doses. Hepatitis is most commonly associated with the liver, but it also affects the kidneys.

Liver Disease

Anyone with chronic liver disease should receive:

1. The Hep A vaccine, which protects against Hepatitis A. This vaccine given in two doses.
2. The Hep B vaccine, which protects against Hepatitis B. This vaccine is given in three doses.
3. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. This vaccine is only required once.

There may be contraindications to receiving these vaccines, so every senior, and every person with a chronic health condition, should discuss vaccination with their healthcare provider. One conversation is not enough: new vaccines are always being developed, and new guidelines are always being published.

At Atlantic Coast Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, in Lakewood, NJ, our commitment to our residents’ health includes making sure that they are properly vaccinated for any disease that can harm them. It’s part of our restorative approach to senior living; we are committed to maximizing good health and well-being, in a positive and upbeat atmosphere.

Read our reviews on senioradvisor.com, caring.com, and wellness.com to hear what our residents and their families have to say.

Or better yet, come see for yourself: Contact us to schedule a tour by calling 732-364-7100, or by clicking here.