WS Chronicle

August is National Immunization Awareness Month 

 With fall approaching, it’s a good time to talk to your primary care provider about getting your annual flu and COVID vaccinations. Vaccines protect not only individuals, but also communities from the spread of preventable diseases. Many older adults may remember standing in line at school to receive the polio vaccine on a sugar cube. Vaccines have certainly progressed since that time. Now there are vaccines to protect against many of the diseases we were exposed to as children: measles, mumps, chicken pox, whooping cough (pertussis). The first line of defense against communicable diseases is vaccines. 

But how effective are they? 

You may have heard from a friend or family member, “I got the flu shot and got the flu anyway. That shot doesn’t work!” As good as the flu and COVID vaccines are, they are not 100% effective against preventing infection and never will be. The viruses that cause flu and COVID are steadily mutating and circulating in our community. Rev. Ginny Wilder of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church announced during her sermon this past Sunday that she was finally over her recent bout of COVID and mentioned how it brought back memories of the days of the pandemic. She said what she missed most was seeing people’s faces in person. Despite being infected with COVID, she said that she believed in science and vaccinations and would be getting a booster as soon as the new one was available. 

Scientists are constantly adjusting vaccines to provide as much protection as possible against most of the strains of the viruses each year. The effectiveness of a vaccine depends on how well the vaccine offers protection against the most prevalent virus strains circulating during the season.  

For more information on the importance of vaccines, especially for older adults, The Chronicle spoke with Dr. Charles Semelka, an assistant professor in gerontology and a geriatrician at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health. Dr. Semelka explained, “There is a list of vaccines recommended for older adults. Just because you’re 65 or older doesn’t mean you’re all the same. Some who are 65 and older are active and others may be slowing down.”  

Dr. Semelka explained that at about the age of 70-75, our immune system also slows down and loses some of its ability to learn and recognize new infections. Older adults have been exposed to a lifetime of illnesses and when their bodies encounter old or new pathogens, they may not be able to fight against the disease like they did when they were younger.  

The flu and COVID vaccine can be especially important for older adults who are around young children, like their grandchildren. These viruses can be “sneaky,” Dr. Semelka explained. “The first sign of symptoms may not be the most detrimental part of the virus; it’s the secondary attack on your heart and blood vessels that be the most critical.” He noted, “I had a patient who was in her 70s or 80s who had COVID. It was a mild case, and after she recovered, she had a heart attack,” said Dr. Semelka. Fighting the virus had weakened her immune system, leaving her at risk for more serious illness. 

Flu season begins in the fall 

“Fall is the respiratory virus season for a reason, because this is when the viruses tend to emerge,” said Dr. Semelka. “People tend to be inside more, and viruses spread. There are hundreds of viruses out there and no vaccine is considered 100% effective. The vaccines target the most prevalent viruses.”  

Vaccines are estimated to be about 60% effective in preventing infections. The immune system of older adults may not be as robust as in their younger years. Vaccines can prevent people from getting the disease in the first place and they may protect older adults from getting much sicker if they do get a virus. “They give you a fighting chance,” said Dr. Semelka. 

“People are living a lot longer and one of the reasons is that we developed vaccines to help them live longer,” said Dr. Semelka. “The immune system, when it gets a vaccine, it ramps up and gives you a certain protection for three to six months, but it wanes. That’s why we recommend the flu vaccine every year. Viruses are always changing, and scientists are updating the flu vaccine to the current types.” 

What vaccines do older adults need to protect their health? 

Dr. Semelka discussed several of the vaccines that are recommended for older adults, especially if they have underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease: 

*Flu vaccine, every year 

*COVID, every year 

*Shingles, a two-step vaccine that offers long-lasting protection. Dr. Semelka added, “If you had chicken pox as a child, that does not mean you have developed a long-lasting immunity to shingles. You can get your blood tested, but if you’re older, you may want to go ahead and get the shingles vaccine. … Your body’s immune memory to that virus does fade.” 

*Pneumonia – depending on the type of vaccine, one time only and does not have to be repeated. The most up-to-date pneumonia vaccines are up to 80% effective at preventing invasive pneumococcal pneumonia. 

*TDaP, a vaccine combination for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, will be effective for ten years. 

*RSV – a newer vaccine for a highly contagious respiratory virus, similar to a cold virus. For adults age 75 or older with lung conditions, asthma, COPD, cardiac conditions or diseases that weaken lungs, the RSV vaccine is recommended, especially if they spend time with grandchildren since kids often pass viruses on to grandparents. RSV vaccine is one time only and does not have to be repeated. 

Dr. Semelka discussed the current measles outbreaks that have been in the news lately. He said the general thought is that anyone born before 1957 probably was exposed to the virus. For those who were vaccinated as a child, even though it was 60 years ago, it should be long-lasting. Measles cases are on the rise and he suggested that people who may have compromised immune systems should discuss this with their primary care physician. 

How does the future look like for vaccines? 

Dr. Semelka said that he believes that Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover vaccinations as their ability to prevent disease and the spread of viruses is proven. However, changes could be made to recommendations on the types of vaccines covered and at what age they would be covered.  

Most Medicare insurance companies send out their changes for the 2026 year in early September to get ready for open enrollment in October. That is when most people covered by Medicare insurance start comparing benefits among insurance companies.  

When asked how effective the flu and COVID vaccines will be this year, Dr. Semelka said, “They are effective against preventing more serious complications such as heart attack. Getting boosters will reduce that risk or give your body an advantage to protect against serious complications. Vaccines are safe and are proven to offer protection. Car wrecks are much more common than side effects from vaccines, and we don’t stop driving.” 

Just as viruses continue to mutate and change, flu and COVID vaccines will have to be adjusted every year and adapted to those changes to keep us, our families and our communities protected and safe. Updating the vaccine means that it will more closely match the variants of the coronavirus currently circulating and causing infections and should provide good protection for the upcoming respiratory virus season. “They can only go as fast as the science can keep up,” remarked Dr. Semelka. 

Vaccines are best at preventing severe illnesses that lead to hospitalization and not necessarily preventing infection. The newest vaccines should be available in mid- to late September and offer protection through the winter flu season. 

Protect yourself, protect your family, and protect your community. Get a flu and COVID vaccination this fall!