National Immunization Awareness Month: Vaccine Info for Seniors
Nestled on the edge of a beautiful wooded copse, the Liberty Place Senior Living community is the perfect spot to stay year-round.
However, even staying somewhere like here doesn't mean that you should skip your annual flu and pneumonia shots, or any other medically recommended treatments. This August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), and the United States needs to understand how senior health awareness should ensure that all have the protection they sorely need.
Read on to learn how you can renew your shield against issues such as the flu, COVID-19, or dozens of other problems, and how preventive care and aging go hand in hand to ensure your quality of life. Learn how Liberty Place encourages residents in Port Orchard, WA, to maintain their health and discover the guidance we offer on the required vaccinations for our community.
Why National Immunization Awareness Month Is Important
NIAM has become an annual campaign throughout August every year, led by public health agencies and groups such as the American Association of Immunologists to ensure that everyone protects themselves from the risks of disease. Vaccinations, according to these groups, should be a routine part of every citizen's efforts to ensure that they, their family, and their community are protected from the possibility of both catching and spreading illnesses that could cause a drop in their quality of life or even death.
For those who are aging, a compromised immune system is likely to respond less robustly to infections such as those that vaccines can help with. As such, timely vaccine boosters can help reduce the likelihood of contracting an illness. Even if they are frustrating to pick up again every year, they are better than a lengthy hospital stay or other repercussions that could come from a debilitating sickness.
During this time, Washington state itself even promotes ways to ensure that you and your loved ones receive the vaccines you need. Ensure that you enroll and avoid creating a situation that could put those you love in additional danger. Make sure to follow Kitsap County health advisory groups, which will monitor the likelihood of each major illness in the area and recommend when one should receive their latest boosters or a new vaccination.
Here at Liberty Place, we respect the professional knowledge of these groupsand incorporate the themes of NIAM into our wellness schedules. We can help our residents learn when vaccinations and boosters are most beneficial.
Which Vaccines Should Seniors Ask About?
Every year, the vaccinations that are the most pressing change due to the proliferation of specific illnesses at different times. Generally, Washington state follows the adult immunization guide that the CDC releases, and as such, the following are five of the key adult vaccines that they currently recommend:
COVID-19 2025 Booster
Viruses can quickly adapt to old vaccinations, so new boosters are often needed to ensure the ongoing safety of a community. The latest booster is reformulated to match the most common circulating form of COVID-19, in this case, one named "Omicron".
A single dose will help restore protection against the more severe forms of this disease, and you can receive it on the same day as many other vaccines. For specific details, consult your local healthcare provider.
Residents in Assisted Living who are unsure of how to book an appointment should be able to speak with our staff, who will assist them in scheduling an appointment. Our staff, while unable to administer the vaccinations themselves, will also ensure that they are aware of any individuals who have received vaccinations to watch out for common temporary reactions, such as mild fatigue or soreness at the site of the shot.
High-Dose Flu Shots
Two different vaccines, known as Flublok and Fluzone, exist during this flu season.
Fluzone High Dose contains a higher concentration of the vaccine than standard flu shots. As such, they will encourage your body to react more strongly, helping older adults who might need a little extra help in the later months of the year to protect against the most common forms of the flu.
One of the major benefits of Flublok, however, is that it is a more hypoallergenic version of the vaccine. Residents with egg allergies or those who follow strict dietary guidelines should consult their healthcare professional about Fluzone.
These are both confirmed by the CDC as acceptable for vaccines in individuals over 65 years old, and can help those needing assistance during flu season recover more quickly. So, book now for early autumn and ensure that the antibodies you or a loved one produces peak when flu season is at its peak.
PCV20 One-Dose Pneumonia Shot
The PCV20 shot protects against many of the most common strains of bacteria that cause pneumonia. A single dose is powerful enough to bring someone up to date with their pneumococcal vaccines, simplifying schedules for those in our care.
We would recommend that residents ask whether it can be administered alongside other vaccinations. It may be necessary to schedule the opposite arm for other shots, but if one is to receive more than two shots, they should ask about a schedule to ensure they receive all necessary senior vaccines in WA.
Dual Shield with Shingles and RSV
This vaccination comes in two doses, administered several months apart, to give the body a chance to become immune to the first set before the second dose is administered as part of the rest of the course. However, ask your healthcare provider about the possibility of single-dose protection if you have a chronic condition that makes this more challenging.
Achieve Year-Round Protection With the Help of Liberty Place
While we do not give our residents vaccines, we are more than happy to promote a shot-friendly community culture. We ensure our residents know that they can get the protection they need during National Immunization Awareness Month.
If you would like to know more about what we offer and the steps we take to ensure safety in Liberty Place Senior Living, give us a call. Book a tour and use it as an opportunity to ask us about why we are the best community for you or a loved one today.