As we see winter wane and our focus shifts to the emergence of spring, it’s easy to think that we are out of the woods for respiratory illnesses. In fact, infections and hospitalizations caused by influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain elevated.
Hospitalizations for influenza are the highest among those 65 years and older. There is still time to be vaccinated for key respiratory illnesses, including influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and pneumonia. Being up to date on vaccinations can prevent sickness, reduce the severity of illnesses, and prevent hospitalizations.
Seniors at Nursing Homes and Vaccines
For seniors, many nursing home and rehabilitation centers can obtain and administer available vaccines that are ordered by their medical provider. It is encouraged for seniors at these nursing homes, along with their responsible party, to meet with their medical provider to review their vaccination history. This will give the provider the ability to identify missing vaccinations, provide vaccine specific education, and discuss any potential benefits and risks. Meetings can usually be scheduled by talking to the provider, the director of nursing or the facility’s infection preventionist.
Once a provider identifies a vaccination that is needed and the nursing home resident or their responsible party agrees to the vaccinations, the provider will write an order for the vaccine. The staff handle obtaining the vaccine, recording consent, administering the vaccine and documenting the vaccine in the resident’s medical record.
Most vaccines will begin to provide immunity within a few days, and full effect is typically reached within 2 weeks of administration. Some vaccines are updated yearly but prior vaccinations still provide some illness protection from year to year. Other vaccines are a single injection or a series of a few injections and once the series is complete, they never have to be given again.
List of Vaccines
Which vaccines a person needs can vary based on age and underlying medical conditions. This is why it is best for seniors to review their vaccinations with their provider. These are a few vaccines that most nursing home residents should have and are the primary vaccines that they should discuss with your medical provider.
- Influenza Vaccine – one dose should be received each year between October 1st and March 31st.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – one dose for anyone over the age of 74 or those older than 60 with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, renal disease, diabetes or neurologic conditions causing weakness of the respiratory muscles.
- Pneumococcal Vaccine – anyone aged greater than 50. There are several types of pneumococcal vaccines and a second vaccine may be required based on which vaccine you have already received and when it was given.
- COVID-19 – most individuals 65 years of age or older should receive a yearly COVID-19 vaccination and many should receive a second dose 6 months after the first dose. It is recommended that COVID-19 vaccination be based on shared clinical decision-making with their medical provider.
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles) – adults greater than 50 years of age should receive two doses separated by 2 to 6 months.
If a person is missing more than one vaccination and wishes to catch-up their vaccination history, multiple vaccines can be given on the same day or individual vaccines can be separated by a few days. This would be a personal choice determined by the nursing home resident, their responsible party and the medical provider.
Get Vaccinated Today
This year’s respiratory illness season is far from over. There is still time to receive key vaccinations that can reduce the occurrence or severity of illness.
These vaccines can also improve health outcomes well beyond this current season. Seniors or their responsible parties that wish to review their vaccination history, determine if they have any vaccination needs, and receive additional information about the potential risks and benefits of vaccines or should plan to meet with their medical provider. Meetings can be scheduled by talking to the provider, the director of nursing or the facility’s infection preventionist.
