It is important to get the elderly immunised against infectious diseases
Precaution: Adults, who are 60 years and above, must get themselves vaccinated as the effect of the vaccines taken during childhood wears off after a few years
Adult immunisation is important as the effect of the vaccines taken during childhood wears off after a few years. In India, 95 per cent of children get vaccinated but less than one per cent of adults get proper vaccinations.With winter setting in, cases of influenza, flu and pneumonia are on the rise and the worst affected are senior citizens. After 60 years of age, most senior citizens suffer from diabetes, hypertension, kidney and lung diseases as well as some orthopaedic diseases. So it is important for them to be immunised to ensure a healthy life ahead.
A large community-based study involving 7,14,000 people was conducted and it was found that there was a 27 per cent reduction in the risk of hospitalisation for pneumonia or influenza and a 48 per cent reduction in the risk of death when adults had been vaccinated. Influenza is one of the most life-threatening diseases for the elderly as it leads to severe complications and also entails a lot of expenses towards hospitalisation. Vaccines help by saving lives, minimising suffering and also keeping hospitalisation expenses down.
‘Vaccines help deal with infections’
The incidences of infectious diseases is higher in elderly people than in the young. The response time for the elderly is high and so it takes a very long time for treatment to show positive results. With lowered immunity and pre-existing medical conditions they take a long time to recover.Preventing infection is the first step towards protection and it has been found that immunisation is an effective way to save them from several infectious diseases.
Dr Srirang Abkari, consultant, internal medicine, at Aware Global Hospitals, explains, “In winters, we generally find a surge in the number of admissions of senior citizens with fevers and respiratory tract infections, and more number of patients having underlying medical problems. Such patients have a prolonged hospital stay and often develop more complications like obstructive lung diseases and in some cases there is also loss of lung function.”
In frail, elderly adults, there is a significant decline in overall health and mobility with some of them even losing their ability to carry out independent activities on a daily basis. Dr Abkari explains, “The protection helps them and in the long run, their independence and mobility helps them live with dignity. There is reduction in mortality, severity of the illness and hospitalisation.”
‘Awareness of vaccines is required’
Research shows increasing evidence that vaccines work well for adults too, so efforts are being made to raise awareness about vaccination among senior citizens and they are being urged to get vaccinated for their own protection. The lowered immunity due to ageing makes them susceptible to a lot of diseases, so immunisation is advocated.Dr Suneetha Narreddy, infectious diseases consultant, Apollo Hospitals, says, “The increasing mortality due to reduced immunity has put a large number of senior citizens in the risk group.
A lot of awareness is needed to eat the right kind of foods to build immunity and also precaution needs to be taken to avoid contracting infectious diseases. Small infections like foot diseases, hand rashes and sometimes even a simple viral fever is found to create complications in the elderly. These can be controlled by vaccinations.”
List of Important vaccines for elderly people
The flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu. The vaccine is required once in a year. If that vaccine is administered then the chance of hospitalisation or need for medical intervention is reduced by 60 per cent. It offers substantial benefits such as reduction in illness, the use of antibiotics, time taken to carry out your work, hospitalisations and monetary loss.
Dr Mohammed Parvez, consultant, critical care and internal medicine, Mediciti Hospitals, explains, “It is very important for senior citizens to consult a physician before going for immunisation. Due to various pre-existing medical conditions, individual evaluations are very important before an immunisation program. The common vaccines which can be taken safely are pneumonia, flu, herpes zoster, hepatitis A and B and tetanus.
There are some vaccines which have to be given just once in a lifetime and these must not be repeated. Every adult must also get a Tdap vaccine to protect themselves from whooping cough.” Side effects like fever, headache and other reactions may be expected. However, no adverse reactions are generally seen after immunisation.
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