Immunizations are a principal feature of preventive medicine in Jacksonville, FL, yet many individuals don’t keep up with their vaccinations as recommended. Although they may not particularly like getting several immunizations in a year, doing so helps people stay healthy and can prevent serious illness. Senior citizens, for instance, should be up to date on a number of vaccinations that are especially important for their age group.
Seasonal Flu and COVID
In general, seniors should get vaccinated against the flu and COVID each year. The only exceptions are people who are allergic to any components in the vaccines. Individuals who are immunocompromised should not use the nasal spray flu vaccine and instead receive an injection. That’s because the spray is made with live weakened viruses.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
A doctor providing preventive medicine in Jacksonville, FL can discuss whether each patient should receive a vaccine protecting against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently recommends one RSV immunization for people aged 60 and older.
Pneumonia
The CDC also recommends the vaccine protecting against pneumonia. Depending on the type of vaccination, the recommendation is just one dose or one dose with a booster a year later. The preventive medicine doctor can explain the difference between these vaccines.
Shingles
The CDC recommends two doses of the shingles vaccine for healthy adults 50 and older. Many men and women didn’t get these shots when they became eligible because of shingles vaccine shortages. With the Shingrix vaccine readily available now, older adults should become immunized at their earliest convenience.
Information about JAX Family Care can be found at https://www.jaxfamilycare.org.