How Often Should Seniors Get Pneumonia Vaccine
All adults 65 years of age or older should receive one dose of PPSV23 5 or more years after any prior dose of PPSV23, regardless of previous history of vaccination with pneumococcal vaccine. No additional doses of PPSV23 should be administered following the dose administered at 65 years of age or older.
Do The Pfizer And Moderna Vaccines Protect Against The New Variants Of Covid
The CDC is monitoring several COVID variants, some of which appear to be more contagious than usual. These seem to have originated overseas but appear to be circulating in the United States. The variants include:
- Alpha,
- Beta
- Gamma
- Delta As of May 14, 2021, this one is showing signs of being extremely transmissible and was implicated in a breakthrough cluster of cases among vaccinated airport workers in Singapore.
The vaccine makers are actively studying how well their vaccines protect again these variants. Preliminary evidence suggests that in laboratory conditions, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines may be less effective at neutralizing the South Africa variant. However, its not at all clear that this will result in a higher risk of hospitalization of death due to COVID, in vaccinated people.
In July 2021, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that the Pfizer vaccine and AstraZeneca vaccines were effective against the Delta variant, provided two doses were administered.
It is anticipated that the vaccine makers will offer booster shots later in 2021, to provide better protection against the variants and also to counter a drop in vaccine efficacy against infection, which has been noted in Israel and also in US nursing homes:
To find out if the COVID variants are causing cases near you, see this CDC page: US COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants.
Where Will Seniors Be Able To Get The Covid
There will eventually be widespread distribution of the vaccine to areas like CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. The best thing you can do right now is get in touch with your or your senior loved ones local pharmacy and see if they will be one of the ones receiving a vaccine.
Many local physicians are also receiving them even if you are in a rural area, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Fauci shared during his AARP interview. But physicians throughout the country are not uniform in what their approach is to their patients, so you should not count on your physician calling you up and saying, Youre a person who should be getting the vaccine. What you need to do is to take that upon yourself.
Remember, recipients need two doses of the vaccine spaced three or four weeks apart. Pharmacies and doctors offices are working on systems to track which specific vaccine you or your loved one received and make sure a second dose is available where and when its needed.
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How Serious Is Influenza
Influenza reduces the body’s ability to fight other infections. Bacterial pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs, is the most common complication from influenza, especially in elderly people. Influenza can also lead to more complications for people who have heart, lung or other health conditions. These complications can sometimes be fatal.
Who Can Receive The Vaccine
- Everyone born in 2009 or earlier is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccines require two doses. All residents are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they can, and to receive their second dose as soon as they are eligible to ensure maximum protection against COVID-19.
- The earliest date that you can receive your second dose is:
- 28 days after your first dose if you received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna vaccine.
- 8-12 weeks after your first dose if you received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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Vaccinations For Homebound Individuals
In May and June, Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick are providing vaccinations to homebound individuals 55 and older who are unable to leave their home to go to a pharmacy or regional health authority vaccination clinic. Existing clients of the Extra-Mural Program will be assessed to determine if they qualify for this service.
Homebound individuals who are not Extra-Mural clients may also be referred for a home vaccination by their primary care provider beginning May 3.
Out Of Province / Out Of Country Eligibility
- If you are born in 2009 or before and you are living, working or going to school in Alberta, you can get the COVID-19 vaccine. You do not need an Alberta Health Care card in order to get the vaccine.
- The three-month requirement was removed to ensure that people who are temporarily in the province have access to the COVID-19 vaccines that are available to everyone in Canada.
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Do I Have To Pay For The Vaccination
You should not have any out-of-pocket cost for getting the vaccine. AARP fought to make sure the federal government is covering the cost of the vaccine itself.Scammers are purporting to offer COVID vaccines and treatments and trying to charge for them. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network is tracking the latest scams.
Will I Need A Booster Shot
Booster shots may be available and recommended as early as the week of Sept. 20 for those who are several months past their second shot of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, health officials say. Boosters have not yet been authorized by the CDC or the FDA, though Pfizer was the first to ask for approval and is furthest along in the process. Moderna has since requested that regulators approve its boosters, and Johnson & Johnson is expected to do the same in the coming weeks, pending more data.
Officials have suggested that long-term care residents and staff and health care workers will be prioritized in the initial wave of boosters, as they were when vaccines were first made available. But it’s unclear whether older adults would also be prioritized and whether individual states and cities would adopt their own distribution plans.
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Older Florida residents have their temperatures taken before receiving the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Jackson Health System in Miami.
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Adults Age 65 And Older
Vaccines are especially important for older adults. As you get older, your immune system weakens and it can be more difficult to fight off infections. Youre more likely to get diseases like the flu, pneumonia, and shingles and to have complications that can lead to long-term illness, hospitalization, and even death.
If you have an ongoing health condition like diabetes or heart disease getting vaccinated is especially important. Vaccines can protect you from serious diseases so you can stay healthy as you age.
Getting vaccinated can help keep you, your family, and your community healthy.
On this page, you’ll find answers to common questions about vaccines for adults age 65 and older.
Mrna Covid Vaccine Efficacy In Older Adults: What We Know So Far
What we know about how well these vaccines work is based on two types of information: randomized trial data submitted to the FDA to get emergency use authorization, and then observational analyses conducted over the past several months.
Although relatively few observational analyses have been published in peer-reviewed journals, CDC data indicates that since vaccination began, COVID case rates and death rates have fallen dramatically in nursing home residents and among people aged 85+. A UK study also noted a significant drop in COVID hospitalizations among older adults after their vaccine rollout.
Also, in May 2021, researchers published an . This found a real-world overall vaccine efficacy of 94% . Table 3 of this study report also reported vaccine efficacy in 3 older age groups .
This data found that vaccine efficacy dropped in the older age groups for asymptomatic infection but remained around 97% for symptomatic COVID and severe COVID, with no drop seen in the older age groups. This suggests that although the risk of passing on COVID or having a breakthrough infection may go up as people get older, even those over age 85 should expect to get excellent vaccine protection from serious COVID illness.
A CDC report published in early May of 2021 found that getting either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine was 94% effective against COVID-19 hospitalization among fully vaccinated adults aged 65 and older.
What we know from the COVID trial data submitted to the FDA
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Watchdog: Why Oregon Senior Citizens Have One Of Longest Waits In Country For Covid
Gov. Kate Brown has made Oregon one of only two states in the nation to give the green light for school employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations but not seniors. The other state is Idaho.Cathy Cheney/Portland Business Journal pool
Seniors in Oregon will wait longer than almost anywhere else in the country to be eligible for coronavirus vaccinations, a review by The Oregonian/OregonLive has found, undercutting claims that the federal government is to blame.
And that has shifted focus back to Gov. Kate Browns decision to prioritize teachers over the elderly.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Are The Pfizer And Moderna Covid Vaccines Safe
In general, they appear to be quite safe and there were very few true severe problems noted in the study.
As of March 26, 2021, over 130 million doses of these vaccines have been administered. To date, the primary safety issue that has emerged is the possibility of severe allergic reactions. However, these are uncommon and only affect a handful of people per every million doses administered. For more on this, see this CDC page.
Now, its important to note that it was quite common for vaccine recipients to feel unwell after vaccination, especially after the second dose. The most common symptoms were fatigue and headache, and some people experienced fever, as well.
These are signs that the immune system is responding to the vaccine! So these should not be taken as a sign that the vaccine is dangerous, or not worthwhile.
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Who Should Get Vaccinated
Every New Brunswicker who can get vaccinated should get vaccinated.
Vaccines are safe and effective. By saying âyesâ to vaccination, you are helping to protect yourself, your family and your community against COVID-19.
For some people, the decision to get vaccinated will require consideration of risks versus benefits. If you have questions about the vaccine or your health conditions, contact your primary healthcare provider.
Currently, the vaccines approved in Canada are not approved for those under the age of 12.
Have questions?
COVID-19 vaccine information for physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers.
If so, you can now register to be counted in New Brunswickâs vaccination program.
Third Shots Have Been Recommended For Some Immunocompromised People And Boosters Are Likely On The Way
by Andrew Soergel, AARP, September 8, 2021| 0
En español | More than 176 million Americans and more than 82 percent of adults 65 and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with shots now available to everyone 12 and older. But that’s still just 62 percent of the U.S. population that’s eligible to be vaccinated, with over 100 million Americans without a full round of shots.
In much of the country, it’s a lot easier to get a shot today than it was a few months ago, with walk-in appointments widely available. But shot distribution looks a lot different than it did earlier this year, when limited vaccine supplies forced states to prioritize some residents over others, followed by the opening of mass vaccination sites.
The latest on how to get the vaccine.
Health experts have in recent weeks started to revisit vaccine distribution plans, with booster shots likely coming down the pike. President Joe Biden’s administration has said they will likely be recommended to everyone several months after they’ve completed the initial regimen. The administration is targeting the week of Sept. 20 as a tentative roll-out date for booster shots, which should bolster recipients immune systems as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread.
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When Should Seniors Get The Influenza Vaccine
It is important for seniors to get the influenza vaccine before the influenza season starts.
In B.C., the influenza vaccines are usually available in October. For best protection, you should try to get the vaccine as soon as possible. This gives your body enough time, about 2 weeks, to build immunity before the influenza season starts. This immunity typically lasts through the influenza season which usually ends in April.
In addition to the influenza vaccine, seniors should be immunized against pneumococcal disease. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against infections of the brain, bloodstream, lungs and ear. It is safe to get the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines at the same time. Most people only need 1 dose of pneumococcal vaccine and will not need a booster dose.
For information about pneumococcal infection and the vaccine, see HealthLinkBC File #62b Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine.
Book Your Free Shot It’s Safe And Easy
COVID-19 vaccines help prevent you from getting infected and protect you from getting severely sick if you do get it. All vaccines are safe, effective and save lives.
Everyone born in 2009 or before can get their first and second doses now. Third doses are available to some people most at risk of severe illness.
NEW: AHS clinics and pharmacies now use the same centralized online booking system. You can also book your shot by calling 811, visiting a walk-in clinic, or contacting a doctor’s office.
- 78.8% of Albertans 12+ with at least 1 dose
- 70.8% of Albertans 12+ fully vaccinated
- $100 Debit Card
Get vaccinated to get a $100 debit card!
- Who’s eligible: Albertans 18 or older who got their first or second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine between September 3 and October 14, 2021.
- How to register: After vaccination, register online or by phone, starting on September 13. Detailed instructions will be posted at that time.
- How to claim: $100 debit cards will be delivered to you. Everyone who is registered and has a valid vaccination will receive a debit card.
Get vaccinated for your shot to win $1 million!
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Vaccine Information For Youth Aged 12 To 17
Getting vaccinated is easy. Everyone age 12 or older is eligible to get vaccinated.
If you are aged 16 or older, you can book an appointment yourself, with your friends or with your family.
Parents/Guardians have an important role in discussing treatments which affect a minorâs health and well-being. It is highly recommended that parents/legal guardians discuss COVID-19 disease and immunization with their children in a loving and caring environment.
If you are aged between 12 to 15 and your consent is filled by your parent or legal guardian, you can make plans with friends or your family to get appointments at the same time.
If you want to get vaccinated with a group of friends or your family, you must each have an appointment. To book your appointment, you first need to register here or can contact a local pharmacy for an appointment.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only vaccine Health Canada has approved for use in children aged 12 to 17. If you would like more information on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, .
Should Everyone 65 Years
The immune system weakens as humans age. This places older individuals at greater risk of severe illness. Aging also affects the immune systems ability to respond to threats. A higher dose flu shot gives older people a better immune response and better protection.
Check with a healthcare professional if this vaccine is right for your medical situation.
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Cancelling Or Rescheduling A Vaccination Appointment
Need to cancel or reschedule a vaccination appointment booked online through www.gnb.ca/bookavaccine or by calling 1-833-437-1424?
If you have the Booking ID found in the appointment confirmation email and the date of birth of the person scheduled to receive the vaccine, you can cancel AND reschedule the appointment by .
If you donât have the Booking ID or date of birth, you can cancel the appointment by filling out the following form OR by calling 1-833-437-1424 to reach someone who will assist you in cancelling or rescheduling your appointment.
If you submit the cancellation form, wait to receive a cancellation email before booking a new appointment. The email will be sent within 48 hours of submitting the form. At this time, you will be able to book another appointment online or by calling 1-833-437-1424.
The earlier you can provide notification, the better. By cancelling your appointment as soon as possible, you may be helping someone else in your community get vaccinated sooner against COVID-19.
Flu & People 65 Years And Older
People 65 years and older are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications compared with young, healthy adults. This increased risk is due in part to changes in immune defenses with increasing age. While flu seasons vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. In recent years, for example, its estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older, and between 50 percent and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group.
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