A report from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reveals that one of the most powerful, simple preventive steps for adults age 65 and up often gets skipped at doctor visits.

This story is from ABC News and Medpage Today.

Just as is true of younger people, there is a list of recommended vaccinations for older adults. The Mayo Clinic website offers an easy adult vaccine checker feature so that you can see which vaccines are recommended for what age groups and why.

In particular, there is concern about how many don’t get the pneumonia vaccine, a vaccine which could save 40,000-50,000 lives and about $10 billion annually.

The full story covers important points.

• Going to school usually triggers a trip to the doctor to get vaccines. There is no event in the lives of 65+ people that supports their getting vaccinated in the same way. Vaccination programs need to support this patient group to maximize their protection.
• If the missing one-third of 65+ adults were to receive the pneumonia vaccine, the report says that the benefits are huge. Between 40,000-50,000 deaths could be prevented. This one step could save about $10 billion in health care costs annually, according to Jeffrey Levi, executive director of the TFAH.
• Levi also says, in the full story, that a national strategy is needed to educate the public and encourage patients to get the vaccine.
• It works. It is safe.

What Can You Do?

If you are are 65 or up, talk to your doctor about the pneumonia vaccine and other vaccines recommended for your age group.

If you are a family member or a friend, find out the facts and then encourage the patient to get the recommended vaccines.

Every year, pneumonia as a complication of influenza kills many people—most of them older.

ABC News/Medpage Today

“Public health experts say they’re concerned about the low number of U.S. adults who receive recommended vaccinations — and in particular about seniors who aren’t immunized against pneumonia.”

…”As of 2008, one-third of people 65 and older had not received the pneumococcal vaccine, according to a report issued by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.”

Source: ABC News/Medpage Today

Source: Mayo Clinic, Adult Vaccines Information.