Housing

Vaccinations

Before I moved mom into an Assisted Living Facility (ALF), I worked with her to ensure she had her annual flu shot.  When COVID-19 hit the U.S. in early 2020, I also made sure that we both had current COVID shots to keep us both healthy.

Having a current COVID shot may have prevented her from becoming extremely ill when she contracted COVID in the ALF.  In August 2024, mom was hospitalized due to a fall and was diagnosed with COVID-19.  She developed mild pneumonia and only required oxygen treatments for two or three days.  I was relieved and thankful that I made the effort to ensure she had current vaccines.  

I'm not an expert in this area and I don't know what is true or not about vaccines.  I just know that, in my experience with mom, she did not end up on a ventilator or suffered while recovering from COVID at 89 years old. I don't need to spend the rest of my life regretting not having done more and I'm grateful for that.

In the ALF, we have no control over what contacts our loved ones have.  In mom's case, she was shared a room with another resident.  And during the day, she was grouped into a large dining / gathering area with about 50 other people.  She also had contract with several different staff members.  And, occassionally, she had an outside visitor.  Any one of those contacts could have exposed her to COVID.  Something to think about.

Vaccinations play a vital role in protecting elderly individuals in assisted living facilities. As seniors often have weakened immune systems and chronic health conditions, vaccines help prevent serious illnesses, reduce hospitalizations, and protect both residents and staff.

Please consult with a medical professional about your loved one and vaccines.

 

1. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

  • Recommended annually, typically in the fall.
  • Protects against severe flu complications, which can be life-threatening for seniors.
  • Risks of not getting vaccinated: The CDC estimates that between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 52,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. due to flu-related complications.

2. COVID-19 Vaccine & Boosters

  • Recommended for all seniors, with updated boosters as needed.
  • Reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
  • Risks of not getting vaccinated: According to the CDC, unvaccinated adults aged 65 and older are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized and 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who are vaccinated and boosted

3. Pneumococcal Vaccines (Pneumonia Shot)

  • PCV15 or PCV20: Given once, with a possible follow-up of PPSV23 if PCV15 was administered.
  • Protects against bacterial pneumonia, a common and deadly infection in the elderly.

4. Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccine

  • Shingrix (2 doses, given 2-6 months apart) is recommended for adults over 50.
  • Prevents painful shingles outbreaks and long-term nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia).

5. Tdap or Td Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)

  • Recommended every 10 years.
  • Important for preventing tetanus and reducing pertussis transmission.

6. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine

  • Recommended for adults over 60, especially those with chronic health conditions.
  • Helps prevent severe respiratory infections.

Additional Considerations

  • Some vaccines may be required or strongly recommended by assisted living facilities.
  • Residents with weakened immune systems may need special vaccine schedules.
  • Caregivers and staff should also be vaccinated to reduce transmission risks.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

Important.  The CDC website is undergoing changes in response to the President's Executive Orders.  Some information referenced in this article may no longer be available on the CDC website.  TheRookieCaregiver.com will continue working on researching current, relevent links to CDC information.




Created: 02/08/2025
Updated: 02/08/2025