Older Adults & Vaccines: Research Confirms Benefits
- Driven by first-hand experiences of friends suffering from shingles, Kim Beckham, an insurance agent in Victoria, Texas, eagerly sought the initial shingles vaccine.
- "I felt really relieved," Beckham said after receiving her Zostavax shot.
- Robin Wolaner, 71, a retired publisher in Sausalito, California, is known to encourage her friends to get their recommended shots, even sharing relevant medical studies.
Embrace the latest findings: older adults are actively protecting their health! Recent studies confirm meaningful vaccine benefits for seniors, including enhanced flu shots and shingles vaccines. News Directory 3 reveals vaccine confidence is high, with seniors proactively seeking vaccinations and sharing valuable information. This proactive approach to senior health is validated by researchers highlighting the crucial role of vaccines. As William Schaffner emphasizes, vaccines are no longer just for kids; they’re essential for preventing serious illness in the over-65 population. Hospitalization rates due to influenza underscore the importance of preventative measures. Discover what’s next in the ongoing research and advancement of even more effective vaccines.
vaccine Confidence: Older Adults Embrace Protection
Updated June 26, 2025
Driven by first-hand experiences of friends suffering from shingles, Kim Beckham, an insurance agent in Victoria, Texas, eagerly sought the initial shingles vaccine. despite being below the then-recommended age of 60, she celebrated her milestone birthday at CVS in 2016 to get vaccinated.
“I felt really relieved,” Beckham said after receiving her Zostavax shot. As then,she has received the newer shingles vaccine,a pneumonia shot,an RSV vaccine,annual flu shots,and all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations,demonstrating high vaccine confidence.
Robin Wolaner, 71, a retired publisher in Sausalito, California, is known to encourage her friends to get their recommended shots, even sharing relevant medical studies. Deana Hendrickson, 66, a caregiver in Los Angeles, sought an additional MMR shot to bolster her immunity while caring for her grandsons.
Recent research has validated this proactive approach to senior health, highlighting the benefits of new and improved vaccines. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, emphasizes that vaccines are not just for kids anymore.
“The population over 65…now has the benefit of vaccines that can prevent much of that serious illness,” Schaffner said.
Influenza, for example, hospitalizes 140,000 to 710,000 people annually, predominantly seniors, with a 10% fatality rate among hospitalized older adults.
What’s next
With ongoing research and development, even more effective vaccines are anticipated, further solidifying the role of vaccination in safeguarding the health of older adults.