Protecting the “U” in Immunization: Why Vaccines Are Important If You’re an Older Adult

This article is for older adults who can get vaccines, or anyone who wants to know more about getting shots when you’re an older adult. The goal of this activity is to help you talk to your doctor about why vaccines are important and which ones you might need.

You will learn about:

• The importance of routine and timely immunization for older adults  

• How vaccines work to protect you from serious illnesses and illness-related complications  

• Available vaccines for older adults and the recommended populations  

• Insights and answers to common questions and concerns that people have about vaccines 

• Questions to ask your doctor and healthcare team

The term "older adult" can mean different things. For vaccine recommendations, it can mean people aged 50, 60, or 65 years and older.  

Your own health also matters, so that’s why it’s important to talk with your doctor and healthcare team about which vaccines YOU might need.

There are lots of good things about getting a vaccine (also known as a shot, vaccination, or immunization). As you get older your immune system gets weaker and it’s harder for your body to fight off sickness. This means you can get sick more easily.

It’s also important because some illnesses can make you really sick, especially if you’re older, and might even require you to go to the hospital. Vaccines also help keep the people around you safe from illness.

Vaccines help your body learn how to fight off sickness. They’re made from weak or dead germs or a lab-made copy of the germ to help your immune system recognize it. This helps your body be ready to fight the real illness if you ever come into contact with it.

Since some illnesses can make you really sick or cause complications, getting a vaccine is usually safer than getting sick and trying to build immunity that way.

Some vaccines are recommended for people at certain ages, like the shingles shot at 50 and the pneumonia shot at 65. But it also depends on your health, any conditions you have, and your lifestyle. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about the vaccines that are best for you.

To help you get ready for that talk, we’ve included links to lists of recommended vaccines at the end of this activity.

You might be wondering:

• Are vaccines safe?

• Do I really need this shot?

• What are the side effects?

• Can I get too many vaccines?

For answers to these questions and more, please watch the short video on this page.

Here are some questions you can ask your doctor and healthcare team:

• What vaccines do I need based on my age and health?

• How well do these vaccines work?

• Are there any side effects?

• Where can I get the shots? Can I get them here?

• Are some vaccines more important for me than others?

Congratulations!

You have successfully completed the program Protecting the “U” in Immunization: Why Vaccines Are Important If You’re an Older Adult

View Additional Materials on this topic that you may find useful:

The Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool

Recommended Shots for Older Adults

5 Reasons It Is Important for Adults to Get Vaccinated