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It’s that time of year – the season for vaccinations! As winter cold begins to rush in, the call to get your flu shot becomes louder and louder. Other vaccinations are on the list too, including RSV and an updated COVID booster. While getting vaccinations is important at any time of year, winter brings close quarters and a bigger possibility of developing viral illnesses.
As we get older, illnesses and bugs that we could brush off when we were younger can become a much bigger problem. For instance, most healthy adults who contract COVID might feel truly terrible for a week or so, but they will likely recover just fine. For seniors, however, it’s more serious.
According to the CDC, 81% of COVID deaths during 2020 occurred among those aged 65 and older. And though the vaccine can prevent more serious illness and hospitalization, the rate of death from the infection is still higher among the elderly than it is among any other population.1
So there are obvious reasons to get vaccines. But scientists have discovered yet another reason to get all your vaccinations – those vaccines can protect your cognitive health and reduce your risk of developing dementia.
How Vaccinations Protect Against Dementia
Many studies over the years have found a link between vaccination and brain health. Most studies have found that those who are vaccinated for the flu, COVID, and other potential illnesses are less likely to get dementia than those who are unvaccinated.
Scientists aren’t sure why this happens, but there are some theories:
· Some believe that infections can lead to the inflammation and changes in the body that are related to Alzheimer’s and dementia; if you can avoid the illness, you can avoid the cognitive decline that occurs as a result of it.
· The way the vaccines work on the immune system might also be a key factor in preventing brain inflammation as a result of amyloid plaque, which is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The immune system might be calmed by the vaccinations, which prevents it from attacking the plaques, which can then preserve healthy cells in the brain.
· On the other hand, the vaccines might rev up the immune system enough that it can clear the plaques more effectively. That could lead to a longer, healthier life for those who are already suffering from some form of dementia.
· In general, those who get their vaccinations on time might be more focused on senior whole health than those who do not. This means that they are taking other steps, in addition to the vaccinations, to stay healthy. That combination of good lifestyle choices might help keep dementia at bay.
As you read on about the studies on vaccines, consider protecting yourself and your loved ones with a button alarm. This medical alert technology is a highly effective tool for those who want to stay safe from the consequences of falls, accidents, and medical emergencies that might occur when you have no way to get help. By simply pressing the button on a wireless medical alert system, you can be certain that help will be at your side within minutes.
Current Studies on Vaccinations and Dementia Risk
One of the latest studies reviewed over 935,000 people found through a national patient database. The people were divided into two groups: Vaccinated and not vaccinated. The study spanned eight years and took into account a wide variety of factors, including age, gender, and chronic conditions. What the researchers focused on was the rate of cognitive decline among those who were vaccinated versus those who were not.
The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, found that those who received at least one flu shot during a four-year period were 40% less likely to develop dementia than those who did not get the flu shot. Those who got a flu shot every year, without fail, were among those who had the lowest rates of cognitive decline.2
The ongoing study is now looking at other vaccines as well, including those for shingles and pneumonia, which are two vaccines that seniors and the elderly should get. The combination vaccine of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis – known as Tdap – is also being studied. So far, the study is finding similar results with these vaccines. That suggests that the more vaccines an elderly person gets, the more likely they are to stave off cognitive decline.
A similar study is looking at a group of “oldest old” seniors in the UK. In that study, scientists found that those who received the shingles vaccine were less likely to develop dementia than those who didn’t get the vaccine. In fact, those who got the vaccine lowered their dementia risk by up to 20%, according to MedPage Today.3
What Vaccines Do Seniors Need?
Some vaccines are necessary every year. That’s because the virus that causes the illness can mutate over time, working to slip past the defenses set up by the previous vaccine. Others are needed only once or twice over a period of many years. Here are the vaccines you need, when you need them, and why:
· Influenza. All adults, no matter their age, need this one. Getting it by the end of October each year is the safest bet, as this gives you protection during the winter season, when outbreaks of the flu are much more likely. Senior adults should get the high-dose version. Skipping this vaccine can be deadly; at least 50% of all flu-related hospitalizations occur among those aged 65 and older, and this age group accounts for up to 85% of flu-related deaths.
· COVID. Though this is recommended for everyone, it’s highly recommended for those over the age of 50, as they are at greater risk of problems from a COVID infection. Though a long-term vaccine schedule hasn’t been set for COVID just yet, it’s expected to become an annual shot, just like the vaccine for the flu. Right now, it’s important to get an updated COVID shot whenever one becomes available. In most cases, you can get it at the same time you get your flu shot.
· RSV. This protects against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. It’s a newer vaccine recommended for those aged 60 and older. Right now the vaccine is expected to be needed only once to provide broad protection for seniors. While RSV is commonly associated with children, older adults are in danger of the virus, which kills up to 10,000 elderly adults each year. As with other vaccines, if you do get the virus after being vaccinated, the illness is likely to be much milder and might help you recover at home instead of going into the hospital.
· Pneumococcal. This vaccine fights against pneumococcal disease, which can cause pneumonia. Before COVID arrived, pneumonia was responsible for killing more people in the United States than all the other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. Those who are over the age of 65 should get this, and those who are younger but have certain risk factors should get it too. This includes those who have chronic heart or lung disease, certain types of cancers, and certain health problems, such as smoking or alcoholism. You’ll need two shots spaced about one year apart.
· Tdap. This vaccine covers tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. The most important part of this vaccine might be pertussis, also known as whopping cough. The severe difficulty in breathing can be deadly for seniors. Since cases of whopping cough have risen dramatically over the last several years, it’s more important than ever for all seniors to get the vaccine. You should have this vaccine every 10 years or sooner than that if you suffer a severe wound or burn.
· Herpes zoster. This vaccine protects against shingles, which is something you might develop if you ever had chicken pox. It’s recommended for everyone aged 50 and older. One in three people will get shingles after the age of 50, usually when their body is weakened by stress, medication, or illness. Shingles is a painful infection that can make you quite miserable, and about 15% of those who get it will be left with lingering nerve pain that can severely affect quality of life. If you already had the Zostavax vaccine for shingles, you need to get the newer and more effective Shingrix. It is delivered in two doses, spaced two to six months part.
Hepatitis A and B vaccines are also recommended if you have certain lifestyle traits. For instance, adults over 50 should get these vaccines if they will be traveling overseas, in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with hepatitis, or meet certain other criteria, such as using recreational drugs or having a job that puts you in contact with bodily fluids.
The Hepatitis A vaccine should be given in two doses over six months. The Hepatitis B vaccine should be given in three doses over roughly six months.
As you make plans to get these essential vaccines, it’s also a great idea to look into senior alert systems. When you opt to wear a panic button at all times, you are protecting yourself against the possibility of lying on the floor after an awful fall, hoping that help will arrive soon. If you choose a device with fall detection, you have even more protection.
The Bottom Line
In addition to protecting you from the consequences of severe illness, studies over the years have linked all of these vaccines to a lower risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s. For instance, a study in Frontiers in Immunology found a 35% lower risk of cognitive decline in seniors who chose to be vaccinated against certain illnesses, including shingles, flu, and hepatitis.4
Talk to your doctor as soon as possible about the vaccines you need and when you should get them.
Whether you are up-to-date on your vaccines or just getting started with a schedule to protect yourself from illness and cognitive decline, there are other things you can do to stay safe. A medical alert necklace or bracelet is one of those essential items that can give you strong peace of mind. By wearing the medical alarm button all the time, day and night, you ensure that if you ever need help, it can be on the way with a simple touch of a button. If only all things in life were that easy!
