Vaccines: More Than Just Disease Fighters for Seniors

Vaccines are not just about avoiding infections. They also help older folks stay healthy in other ways. For example, getting vaccinated against shingles, RSV, and flu can lower the chances of serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and even dementia. Older adults are more at risk for infections because their immune systems weaken over time. Yet, many seniors are not taking advantage of vaccines. Only a small percentage have received vaccines for flu, RSV, and COVID. Even fewer have gotten the pneumococcal vaccine, which is recommended for adults over 50. Research shows that vaccines can have extra benefits. For instance, flu shots have been linked to lower risks of heart problems. RSV vaccines may also help the heart and lungs, though more research is needed. COVID vaccines can reduce the risk of long COVID, which affects both physical and mental health.One surprising finding is that shingles vaccines might lower the risk of dementia. Studies have shown that people who got the shingles vaccine had a lower chance of developing dementia. This is exciting because it suggests that vaccines can help keep the brain healthy. But why do vaccines have these extra benefits? One idea is that they reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation can cause damage and lead to other health problems. By preventing infections, vaccines can also prevent this damage. However, most of these studies are observational. This means they show a link but not a direct cause and effect. Still, the findings are promising and suggest that vaccines can do more than just prevent infections.