Our immune system is like a strong athlete in its younger years—fast, powerful, and ready to fight. But as we get older, it naturally slows down. This is called immunosenescence.
It simply means our bodies aren’t as quick or decisive at fighting infections as they once were.
Because of this, even a minor illness can become serious—especially for people with health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease.
That’s why doctors recommend certain vaccines for older adults.
Vaccines aren’t just for kids—they can help protect us from illnesses that could lead to hospital stays or even be life-threatening.
Below are the vaccines doctors most often recommend for people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond.
Flu Shot
The flu can be dangerous for older adults, especially for those with ongoing health problems.
It can lead to pneumonia or other serious complications. Every year, thousands of seniors in the U.S. die from flu-related illnesses.
When to get it:
Get a flu shot every year, ideally before the end of October.
Doctors often recommend a high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine for older adults.
These are stronger than the regular version and help the immune system respond better.
Why it matters:
The flu shot may not prevent every case of the flu, but it can make symptoms milder, shorten recovery time, and reduce the risk of serious complications.
COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 hasn’t disappeared—it still causes illness, especially in older adults.
When to get it:
The vaccine is updated regularly to target the strains most likely to spread.
For the 2024–2025 season, the CDC recommends that everyone age five and older get the updated shot.
Why it matters:
Older adults still make up most COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths.
The vaccine helps prevent severe illness, keeps people out of the hospital, and lowers the risk of passing the virus to others.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumococcal disease can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis—all of which can be life-threatening, especially for seniors.
When to get it:
Adults 65+ should get one dose of PCV20 (Prevnar 20), or PCV15 (Prevnar 15), followed by a dose of PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23) a year later. These vaccines help your body fight the most dangerous strains of the bacteria.
Why it matters:
These illnesses can get serious very quickly, sometimes within hours. The vaccine gives your body extra protection against these fast-moving infections.
Shingles Vaccine
Shingles comes from the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays in your body and can “wake up” years later as shingles.
When to get it:
Adults 50+ should get two doses, 2 to 6 months apart—even if you’ve already had shingles or the older vaccine.
Why it matters:
Shingles causes painful rashes and nerve pain that can last for months or years (postherpetic neuralgia). It can also affect your eyes and cause vision loss. The vaccine significantly lowers these risks.
RSV Vaccine
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) can be severe for older adults, especially those with health problems. It often starts like a cold but can turn into bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
When to get it:
Adults 60+ can get the RSV vaccine after talking with their provider, who will consider their health and risk factors.
Why it matters:
RSV sends many older adults to the hospital every year. The vaccine helps prevent severe illness and protects people who already have other medical conditions.
Care You Can Trust
At Palm Primary Care, we offer more than vaccines. We provide whole-person care, treating you with compassion and respect. Our goal is to help you—and your loved ones—stay healthy, independent, and active.
📞 Call us today at (866) 840-7728 to schedule your visit.
