Older adults: are you up to date on your vaccines?

During the past two years, there’s been a lot of discussion about vaccines and the critical role they play in keeping you, your loved ones and the community safe from vaccinepreventable illnesses.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines have received a lot of attention, as well they should. However, there are other important vaccines older adults should be keeping on their radar, like the pneumococcal and shingles vaccines — but many are not. New research shows that during the pandemic, many older adults have missed one or more of their standard adult vaccines or are unaware of which ones they need. In fact, only 28 per cent of adults over the age of 55 have received the shingles vaccine and only 38 per cent have received the pneumonia vaccine.

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from contracting certain vaccinepreventable illnesses and they can also help prevent against serious complications from illness, which is why we need to continue prioritizing them, particularly as we age.

For example, many Canadians aren’t aware pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death and hospitalizations in older adults, and for adults living with chronic conditions. As well, about 10 to 18 per cent of people who get shingles develop severe pain in areas where the shingles occurred that can extend for weeks or even months. In some cases, it can be permanent.

As an injection-certified pharmacist, administering vaccines is an important part of my role as a frontline health-care worker. Because vaccines play such a vital role in keeping us healthy, I’m sharing some information that I hope will help you put your health first.

UNDERSTAND THE FACTS

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation when it comes to vaccines. One common myth is that you don’t need other vaccines once you’ve received your COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines target different illnesses. If you’ve received the COVID19 vaccine, you are still at risk for flu, shingles, pneumococcal and more. Another misconception is that only those who have weakened immunity should get vaccinated. While you may not have underlying health issues, it is still vital to stay up to date on your vaccines, as anyone can contract vaccinepreventable illnesses.

VACCINE ASSESSMENT TOOL

Shoppers Drug Mart has a new online assessment tool that can help you determine which vaccines you might need. After answering a few simple questions, the CANImmunize assessment tool will indicate which vaccines you should discuss with your healthcare provider. Visit https://shoppersdrugmart vaccinescreening.canimmunize.ca/ to access the tool.

GET VACCINATED

Vaccinations help you build immunity against illnesses, which protects you from getting sick and can help prevent against serious complications. Some vaccines protect you for several years, while others protect you for the rest of your life. It is essential to stay up to date on vaccines. I encourage you to get caught up on your vaccines and check in with your family and friends to ensure they are doing the same. Together, we can keep each other safe.

If you have any questions about vaccines, make sure you speak with a qualified healthcare professional, like a pharmacist or doctor.