Roll up your sleeve for fall
- Mark T. Jansen, M.D.
- October 7, 2024
Most adults are familiar with the flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia vaccines. But they should also consider getting two additional vaccines–one vaccine for shingles and one for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Ask your doctor or pharmacist which vaccines may be right for you.
Pharmacies offer all of these vaccines. And thanks to recent changes in Arkansas law and expansions of your health plan’s coverage, pharmacists offer additional services, including testing for COVID-19 and the flu.
As we age, our immune system grows weaker and less able to fight any disease we develop.
Shingles
Shingles, which causes a blistering skin rash, is related to the virus that causes chickenpox. People born before 1995, when the two-dose childhood chickenpox vaccine arrived in the United States, were likely infected in their youth.
When the symptoms of chickenpox subside, the virus hibernates in the nerve endings of the skin. As we age, it can awaken as a secondary illness–shingles.
The vaccine Zostavax,® approved in 2006, reduced the chance of developing shingles by 50%. The newer Shingrix vaccine, given in two doses, is over 90% effective. You can get the Shingrix vaccine if you are age 50 and older, and even if you received Zostavax®.
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is highly contagious and spreads through the air from fall to spring.
It can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, worsening asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in older adults, long-term care patients and those with compromised immunities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an RSV vaccine for everyone age 75 and older and those 60-74 who are at increased risk.
Two approved RSV vaccines, Arexvy and Abrysvo®, are recommended for adults age 60 and older or those who are immunocompromised. Both are effective in reducing the risk of adult RSV infection.
There is currently no RSV vaccine for children or babies, who are most susceptible to severe RSV disease. However, Abrysvo® has been approved for moms in the eighth month of pregnancy who expect to deliver during the RSV season because it is believed antibodies can be passed to the unborn infant. In certain circumstances, infants may receive RSV monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab). You can learn more from the CDC website.
As we age, our bodies’ immune systems grow weaker and less able to fight any disease we develop.
- Mark T. Jansen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Pneumococcal Pneumonia
Adults age 65 years and older are recommended to get immunizations against pneumococcal pneumonia. If you have not been vaccinated, the Prevnar20® vaccine is preferred. If you received Pneumovax 23, your provider may want to give you Prevnar20® five or more years after your initial vaccination. Each helps protect against 20 or more versions of bacterial pneumonia.
Influenza (flu)
An annual flu shot is the best way to avoid the flu or lessen symptoms. Flu vaccines vary from year to year because the virus changes over time.
Some flu vaccines are developed specifically for adults age 65 and older and may boost immunity. You can ask for one of these special vaccines or get the standard vaccine; the important thing is to get a flu vaccination yearly.
COVID-19
From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the summer of 2023, 76% of the 1,134,641 people in the United States who died from the virus were aged 65 and older.
Even if you become ill from COVID-19, you are more likely to recover if your immunization is current. The 2024–2025 version of the vaccine is now available.
Keeping track
Create home medical files for everyone in your family to record immunizations.
Make sure you are current on all the vaccines recommended for you and your family members and schedule the ones you need:
- Find an in-network pharmacy or doctor
- Go to blueprintportal.com
- Sign in or register for Blueprint Portal
- Use the Find Care & Costs tool and search for “Pharmacy” or “Find a PCP”