As of today, there are a number of key vaccines recommended by the health system, especially for those aged 65 and over,/ShutterStock
For most of us, vaccinations are associated with our early childhood days and we all probably remember since then concepts such as rubella, whooping cough, scurvy or tetanus.
But it turns out that vaccinations are really not just a matter for children, adults also need to be vaccinated, especially the elderly.
Why precisely at an older age?
Mainly due to the fact that as we age, our body's immune system weakens and we become more and more exposed to significant diseases and infections.
Fortunately for us, as medicine progresses and develops, we have a wide variety of vaccines in front of us today, some in the health basket and some not, that can protect us from serious and complicated diseases.
As of today, there are a number of key vaccines recommended by the health system, especially for those aged 65 and over, among both men and women, including vaccines against the flu, against corona, against the RSV virus, and more.
Here is the vaccination guide for adults:
The flu can become a serious and even fatal disease, certainly in the elderly/ShutterStock
Vaccination against the flu
The well-known flu is seen as a winter disease with only mild symptoms, but in fact it can become a serious and even fatal disease, certainly in the elderly.
In order to avoid complications from the flu, it is recommended that everyone over the age of 65 get vaccinated against the flu.
The vaccine provides very effective protection against infection, as well as significant protection against various complications.
Every year, the health funds launch an annual vaccination campaign against the flu, in the months of September-October, so the accessibility of this vaccine is particularly high.
Enhanced flu vaccine
: Here it is worth noting that compared to the "regular" dose flu vaccines available today through the health insurance funds, there is an "enhanced" dose vaccine, which provides the elderly with a 24% higher protective envelope compared to the existing vaccines and reduces by 14% the risk of complications and hospitalizations. This vaccine is given by the health insurance funds, but in a rather limited way.
Corona vaccine
Since the peak of the corona epidemic in 2020, the name of this virus has almost disappeared from the media agenda, but in reality today there is a considerable amount of corona infection. Those who, among other things At risk for the complications of the corona virus are women and men aged 65 years and older who have underlying diseases and a weak immune system. For these, it is recommended to get vaccinated against the corona virus, which has been proven to reduce the risk of contracting the corona and also the risk of complications, if you have contracted the virus. The vaccine is funded by the Ministry of Health.
Antibacterial vaccine The pneumococcus (pneumonia)
The pneumococcus bacteria are common bacteria that can cause inflammation and various infectious diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections. These diseases can become complicated and lead to hospitalizations, functional impairments, and even death. In order to avoid unnecessary complications, it is recommended that at-risk populations get vaccinated against the pneumococcus.
The main risk groups are people aged 65 and over, as well as people with chronic diseases.
The vaccines are funded by the Ministry of Health.
Vaccine against the RSV virus that causes severe lung infections
If we mentioned pneumonia, last year (2023) the US Food and Drug Administration approved giving adults the world's first vaccine against the RSV virus that causes very serious lung infections.
The RSV virus (respiratory syncytial virus) is active in the winter months in Israel between the months of November and March and causes various respiratory infections.
Most people recover within a week or two, but RSV can cause significant illness, especially in babies and adults, so it is especially important to get vaccinated against it in the third age.
The vaccine is subsidized for those insured by the Shaban.
Early vaccination in adulthood can prevent severe medical complications/ShutterStock
Vaccination against tetanus - diphtheria
Tetanus disease (syphilis) is caused by a bacterium that secretes a toxin that severely damages the nervous system.
The main complication of the disease is the contraction of the jaw muscles - inability to open the mouth or swallow to the point of real difficulty breathing.
The vaccine for the disease is usually given to people who have contracted a tetanus infection or those who have not been vaccinated against the disease at all, and it is given together with a vaccine against the diphtheria bacterium (kermet) which causes an infection of the pharynx and can lead to breathing difficulties, serious complications and even death.
The tetanus vaccine is considered very effective and provides approximately 100% protection against the infection.
The vaccine is not funded by the Ministry of Health.
Vaccination against shingles Shingles
(known scientifically as herpes zoster) is a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox in children.
The disease causes blisters all over the body and severe pain, and many of the patients are women and men in their third years.
The most common complication is nerve pain that can last for weeks or even months after the blisters have gone.
Other complications can be brain damage, meningitis, pneumonia and more.
The vaccine against shingles is effective in preventing the disease and reducing the risk of complications it causes, and last year a new vaccine against shingles called Shingrix came into use in Israel.
The vaccine is available in the health basket.
Bottom line, early vaccination in adulthood can prevent severe medical complications to the point of death.
Most vaccines are currently given as part of the health basket, so it is recommended to check with your family doctor about the vaccines recommended for you, in order to enjoy a good quality of life for many years.
In collaboration with the Patient Rights Association
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