Historic downtown Lincolnton is the perfect spot to enjoy with friends and family. From summer concerts to the fall Apple Festival and Christmas carriage rides in December, Lincolnton offers year-round activities.
Don't let illness get in the way. After the surge in pneumonia cases in North Carolina last fall, are you still waiting to get vaccinated?
Pneumonia vaccines for seniors are a simple and effective way to lower your risk of catching a serious pneumococcal disease. Learn more about the importance of vaccines for older adults and why you should consider the pneumonia vaccine.
The pneumonia vaccine helps prevent infections caused by strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. These bacteria can cause serious illnesses like:
Invasive pneumococcal diseases develop quickly. Your immune system doesn't have time to fight the infection if it hasn't been trained against a vaccine.
Current guidelines recommend the pneumonia vaccine for all children under the age of 5 and adults aged 50 and older.
Residents of senior living communities should get the vaccine to help protect themselves and their neighbors. People at any age with certain chronic conditions or who are immunocompromised should get vaccinated as well.
The age for adult vaccination was revised downward from 65 to 50 last year. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, part of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), made the change due to the high number of people between the ages of 50 and 64 who become ill with pneumococcal pneumonia or other pneumococcal diseases each year.
Depending on which of the pneumonia vaccines for seniors you get, you may need a second dose a year later. With the vaccination age revised downward, your healthcare provider may recommend additional doses of the vaccine in the future. This is because the vaccine starts to lose effectiveness after five years or so.
Several pneumococcal vaccines approved for use in older adults are available in the U.S. The four types are:
They differ in how they're produced and how many strains they protect against.
The polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) has been available since 1977.
Bacteria like the strains that cause pneumonia are encapsulated in a polysaccharide (sugar) coating. This makes it harder for the immune system to recognize them as a threat. Polysaccharide vaccines train the immune system by using pieces of the bacteria's sugar coating.
PPSV23 uses the sugar coating of 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria. It protects against a higher number of pneumococci than any other pneumonia vaccine currently available.
Polysaccharide vaccines work well in most adults. They don't work well in children younger than 2, though. Young children's immune systems aren't developed enough to respond well to polysaccharide vaccines.
Researchers developed pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) to help the immune system recognize the bacteria more easily. The pneumococcal polysaccharides are linked to a protein.
When the immune system responds to the protein, it also responds to the polysaccharides. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines were developed for children, but they also work well in adults.
PCV15, PCV20, and PCV21 are available in the U.S. The numbers refer to how many bacterial strains they target.
You can get pneumonia vaccines for seniors at any time. You can get senior flu and pneumonia shots during the same appointment as long as you get the shots in different arms. Your healthcare provider may have other immunization tips for aging as well.
The number and timing of the pneumonia vaccine depend on which vaccine you get. If you haven't been vaccinated against pneumococcal bacteria or you're not sure about your vaccination status, you can get PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21.
If you get PCV15, your healthcare provider will probably recommend a dose of PPSV23 one year later. If you're immunocompromised or have certain conditions, you can get the dose of PPSV23 eight weeks after the dose of PCV15.
If you get PCV20 or PCV21, you don't need any additional doses.
If you have had PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21, you shouldn't get PCV20 or PCV21 again.
If you had PCV13, an older version of the vaccine, you can get PCV20 or PCV21. You can also choose to get PCV20 or PCV21 if you received PCV13 at any age and PPSV23 at or after age 65.
Like all vaccines, side effects are possible from pneumococcal vaccination. Side effects are usually mild and are much less severe than the symptoms of pneumonia.
You can't get pneumonia from the vaccine. Common side effects include:
Side effects typically go away after a day or two. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about vaccine side effects or aging and immunity more generally.
The pneumonia vaccine isn't seasonal, so you don't need to wait for it to become available. You can get vaccinated in your doctor's office or at many local pharmacies. You can also get the pneumococcal vaccine at the Lincoln County Health Department.
Medicare Part B and most private insurance plans cover the pneumonia vaccine. You can check with your insurance provider for any costs you may be responsible for and a list of in-network vaccine providers.
Pneumonia vaccines for seniors are essential for your health. They help you avoid getting sick, which protects others around you as well. You can discuss the vaccination options with your healthcare provider to find the options that will work best for your health.
At TerraBella Lincolnton, our caring staff is here to support your wellness. We prioritize senior health in Lincolnton, NC.
We offer on-site health and wellness programs for our assisted living and memory care residents. Our concierge services can help you schedule an appointment for a pneumonia vaccination or other health needs.
Contact TerraBella Lincolnton today to schedule a tour to see the positive impact our dedicated caregivers can make on your well-being.