VACCINES RECOMMENDED FOR SENIORS.

Senior adults need their flu shots every year but also need some other vaccinations as well.

Many senior adults are at risk for pneumococcal disease. There are two vaccines that provide protection against this serious and sometimes deadly disease. CDC recommends two pneumococcal vaccines for all adults 65 years or older:

■ PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)

■ PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine)

Each year in the United States, pneumococcal disease kills thousands of adults. Thousands more end up in the hospital because of pneumococcal disease. It can cause severe infections of the lungs (pneumonia), bloodstream (bacteremia), and lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

According to the CDC, senior adults should receive a dose of PCV13 first, followed by a dose of PPSV23, at least one year later.

■ If you already received any doses of PPSV23, get the dose of PCV13 at least one year after the most recent PPSV23 dose.

■ If you already received a dose of PCV13 at a younger age, CDC does not recommend another dose.

PCV13 protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria and PPSV23 protects against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria. Both vaccines provide protection against illnesses like meningitis and bacteremia. PCV13 also provides protection against pneumonia.

These vaccines are safe, but side effects can occur. Most side effects are mild, such as arm swelling or soreness, and do not affect daily activities. CDC recommends PCV13 for:

■ All adults 65 years or older

■ Adults 19 years or older with certain health conditions

■ Don’t get PCV13 if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to:

■ A dose of the vaccine

■ An earlier pneumococcal vaccine called PCV7 (or Prevnar)

■ Any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid

Anyone who needs a vaccine, should contact their doctor for information on where to receive them.