The immune system weakens with age, this is a natural process, by which it is no longer as fit to fight viruses and bacteria. The risk of serious or even fatal illnesses increases.
It is true that “despite vaccines, infections cannot be completely avoided,” says Anja Kwetkat, chief physician at the Clinic for Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Osnabrück Hospital, in northern Germany. But with enough protection, an infection is less serious.
What vaccines should I get or boost? This is a topic to discuss with your family doctor, also with a view to existing previous illnesses. These are five important vaccines for people over 60:
1. Gripe
People over 60 should get vaccinated against the flu once a year, as recommended by the Standing Commission on Vaccinations (Stiko) of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s communicable disease control body. Vaccination not only reduces the risk of a severe course of the disease, but also the complications that can accompany the flu in older people. These include heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia.
Those over 60 should be vaccinated with the high-dose flu vaccine, which is more powerful. “It works better for older people than regular quadruple vaccines,” says Kwetkat.
2.Pneumococci
Pneumococci are responsible for pneumonia in many cases, but bacteria can also cause inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, middle ear, meninges and even sepsis, colloquially known as blood poisoning. In the worst case, a pneumococcal infection can be fatal.
Stiko recommends vaccination against pneumococci for all people over 60 years of age, especially those with underlying diseases, since they have a risk of contracting pneumococci between four and five times greater than the rest.
To reduce the risk, older people should receive at least one pneumococcal vaccine, which can be boosted at age six, if the doctor deems it appropriate.
3.Herpes zoster (shingles)
Anyone who had chickenpox as a child is at risk, because the virus remains in the body for life after illness. So at a later stage – especially after the age of 60 – it can cause herpes zoster, also known as shingles.
This disease should not be taken lightly, because it causes blisters to form on the skin, for example around the trunk and chest, which are accompanied by burning pain. The possible consequence is nerve pain that can last for several years.
Stiko recommends vaccination for all people over 60 years of age. “To achieve complete protection, two vaccinations at intervals of two to six months are necessary,” recommends Anja Kwetkat.
4.Covid-19
In addition to the basic vaccination, Stiko advises people over 60 years of age to have an annual booster vaccination, at least twelve months after the last vaccination or infection.
“It is possible to get vaccinated against covid-19 and against the flu at the same time,” says Kwetkat.
5.Tetanus
Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria related to a wound. Those affected suffer from muscle cramps, which in older people can be especially severe. To prevent it, Stiko also recommends tetanus vaccination for people over 60 years of age. Ideally, the basic vaccination has been administered in childhood. If this is not the case, it must be received in adulthood. The tetanus booster vaccine should be administered every ten years.
In other countries it is also recommended:
Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
It is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of ticks. The symptoms are similar to those of the flu in the first phase and paralysis or even meningitis in the second. Stiko recommends vaccination against TBE for people over 60 years of age only if they live in a risk area or plan to travel there. Basic immunization is completed with three vaccines. Booster shots should be given every one to two years.
2023-10-17 11:00:11
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