You have probably heard talk about new vaccines and recommendations for children and that may have led you to ask the question “What preventative shots should I request if I am over 65 years of age?”.  Well, we are going to provide you with some answers.

Recommendations at vaccine.gov state that seniors should consider getting the following vaccinations:

  • pneumonia
  • tetanus
  • flu vaccine
  • shingles
  • whooping cough
  • diphtheria

This is a list of recommendations. Each patient needs to consult with their healthcare provider to discuss which vaccines are appropriate for them.  Certain individuals are more susceptible than others to some of these diseases while some people should not receive vaccinations at all.  Here is a list of some vaccines and the types of patients who should pass on getting those preventative shots:

Flu vaccine

Getting the flu vaccine may not be recommended for individuals who have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, allergies (especially to eggs), long- term heart, kidney or liver issues or if they have a weakened immune system.

Shingles vaccine

A weakened immune system would be a reason for a patient to decline the shingles vaccine. Particularly, cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. If a person has had an allergic reaction to neomycin (antibiotic) or to gelatin, they should also not receive the shingles vaccine.

Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccines

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is also contraindicated (not recommended) for these vaccines. A severe reaction to these vaccines in the past, especially as a child, would mean you should opt out of getting these shots.

There are many other vaccines available to patients such as Hepatitis A and B, among others, but these would only be administered if your physician felt you were at risk for those diseases.

OnCall Medical Clinic of Ocean Springs can certainly help you with making these decisions and provide the immunization shots required. Contact Us at 228 818-5155 today to schedule a consult appointment to discuss your vaccine recommendations.