Vaccines Recommended for Seniors in Southern Pines: What to Know
Are you or a loved one living in Southern Pines and wondering how to stay healthy as you get older? We all aim to keep our freedom and energy in our later years.
One good step is to learn about the vaccines recommended for seniors. These shots help build our body's protection against illnesses that can affect us more as we age. Our immune system changes with age and gets weaker at fighting germs over time.
That's why preventive care for seniors is so important. It stops problems from diseases like the flu or pneumonia, which might lead to trips to the hospital.
TerraBella Southern Pines sits in the cozy town of Southern Pines, NC. Our community offers Senior Assisted Living and SHINE® Memory Care to give residents the care they need. Each option has its own building for a personal touch.
Want to know more? Keep reading!
Influenza Vaccine: Your Yearly Defense Against the Flu
How come the flu seems to hit harder as we get older? We see it often in our community at TerraBella Southern Pines, where residents aim to stay active and healthy.
Aging and immunity mean our bodies fight viruses less effectively over time. The flu can lead to serious issues like pneumonia or hospital visits. For seniors, the risk jumps higher, especially in locations like North Carolina, where winters bring more respiratory bugs.
Senior immunizations in NC include this vaccine to cut those dangers. Experts at the CDC suggest higher-dose options, such as the high-dose flu shot or recombinant versions, which work better for older adults.
Who should get it? Pretty much all seniors, unless a doctor says otherwise, due to severe allergies.
Side effects stay mild:
- Sore arm
- Low fever
- Tiredness that fades fast
Pneumococcal Vaccine: Protecting Lungs From Serious Infections
Let's talk about something that guards your breathing: the pneumococcal vaccine. As one of the key vaccines recommended for seniors, it targets bacteria that cause:
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Bloodstream infections
The CDC now recommends it for adults 50 and up, but it holds extra value for those 65 and older.
If you have not had it before, you might get PCV20 or PCV21 in one dose. Or, some get PCV15 followed by PPSV23 a year later. Boosters come if needed, based on health risks.
In Southern Pines, NC, where our community thrives, flu and pneumonia vaccines team up to handle seasonal threats. Senior immunizations in NC align with CDC rules to keep older adults safe from hospital stays.
Risks rise for those with:
- Diabetes
- Heart issues
- Weak lungs
The side effects are usually just redness or swelling at the shot site, gone in days. Most people sail through it fine. We encourage checking with your doctor to see if you need an update.
Shingles Vaccine: Stopping the Virus Before It Strikes
Shingles can sneak up and cause real pain, but the good news is we have a vaccine to stop it. Among vaccines recommended for seniors, the shingles shot, called Shingrix, ranks high for those 50 and up, with strong advice for 65-plus.
The plan calls for two doses, spaced two to six months apart. Even if you had shingles before or got the older vaccine, experts say switch to Shingrix for better defense. It works by waking up your immune system to fight the virus that hides in your body after chickenpox.
As we get older, that virus can reactivate, leading to:
- A rash
- Nerve pain
- Long-lasting discomfort
At our community in Southern Pines, we see how staying healthy boosts the enjoyment of our programs and amenities. This vaccine fits older adult health guidance by keeping pain at bay. Get yours, and focus on the good times ahead.
Tdap Vaccine: Safeguarding Against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
Did you step on a rusty nail or have a cough that lingered? The Tdap vaccine covers those bases as part of the vaccines recommended for seniors. It protects against:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
The CDC says get one Tdap dose if you missed it, then a Td booster every 10 years. For seniors 65 and up, this keeps rare but serious diseases away. Tetanus comes from dirt or wounds, diphtheria affects the throat, and pertussis spreads through coughs.
Most folks get it without issues, but maybe get a sore arm or mild fever. Avoid it only if you had a bad reaction before. Your doctor can guide you.
Stay up to date, and keep adventures coming.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Adapting to Ongoing Health Threats
COVID-19 still lingers, but vaccines help us handle it better. As a top pick in vaccines recommended for seniors, the COVID-19 shot adapts to new variants each year.
For 2025, the CDC urges at least one dose of the updated vaccine for everyone six months and up. For those 65 and older, a second dose comes six months later to boost protection. It cuts:
- Severe illness
- Hospital time
- Spread
Side effects are often mild, like tiredness or arm pain, and fade quickly. High-risk folks benefit most, but all seniors should consider it.
RSV Vaccine: Building Resilience Against Respiratory Challenges
RSV might sound new, but it's a common virus that can trouble seniors. The RSV vaccine joins vaccines recommended for seniors to fight respiratory woes.
The CDC advises it for all adults 75 and up, and those 60 to 74 with risks like lung disease. One dose does the job, best before fall. Options include Abrysvo or Arexvy.
It prevents severe cases that lead to pneumonia or hospital stays. Aging and immunity weaken our fight against RSV, which spikes in winter. Flu and pneumonia vaccines pair well with it for full coverage.
Side effects are light, with sore spots or headaches.
Stay Ahead With Vaccines Recommended for Seniors
Are you ready to take charge of your health in your golden years with these vaccines recommended for seniors? Senior immunizations in NC make it easy to get these protections, often with options like flu and pneumonia vaccines that team up for better results.
At TerraBella Southern Pines, we stand out with our personalized approach that sets us apart to give you the exact care level you want, each in its own building, for that special touch.
Contact TerraBella Southern Pines today to schedule a visit and see the difference for yourself!