Adults 65+ Why It Is Important to Help Protect Yourself Against Other Potentially Serious Diseases, Not Just The Flu
Be sure to ask your doctor about pneumococcal vaccination
(This post is sponsored and developed, in part, by Pfizer; however, the opinions are my own.)
As winter approaches, those of us who are 65 or older are often encouraged by health care providers to get vaccinated against seasonal illnesses, such as the flu. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends receiving other vaccinations to help protect you against potentially serious diseases, including pneumococcal pneumonia.
As we get older, our immune system naturally weakens, putting even healthy and active adults as young as 65 at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious and, in some cases, potentially life-threatening illness that can strike at any time. No matter how active or healthy you are, at 65 years or older, the risk of being hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia is over 10 times greater than younger adults age 18-49.
Prevention is Key
Taking steps like eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising are important to stay healthy, especially during the colder months. But many lose sight of another important step to take: staying up to date on CDC-recommended adult vaccinations for diseases like pneumococcal pneumonia. According to the CDC, receiving recommended vaccinations can help protect others you care about against potentially serious illnesses. This includes pneumococcal disease, which is one reason why it's important to talk to your doctor during your next visit to learn about vaccinations that are right for you.
To learn more about how pneumococcal pneumonia affects older adults, visit AllAboutYourBoom.com.
If you're 65 or older, talk to your doctor about whether vaccination to help prevent this potentially serious disease is right for you.
