The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all seniors receive the following four vaccines:

1. The seasonal flu vaccine (all ages, every year)
2. The pneumococcal vaccine (adults 65 and older, every year)
3. The shingles vaccine (adults 60 and older, every five years)
4. A Td booster shot (all ages, every ten years)

These vaccines are especially important for people who have a weakened immune system or any of the following conditions:

1. Asthma
2. Cardiovascular Disease
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
4. Heart Disease
5. Lung Disease

However, any senior with one of the following chronic health conditions may need other vaccines, as well.

Asplenia
Anyone without a spleen, or whose spleen function is impaired, may also need:

1. The Hib vaccine, to protect againstHaemophilus influenzae (once)
2. The Meningococcal vaccine, to protect against meningitis and other diseases of the brain and spinal cord membranes (once, with possible boosters)
3. The MMR vaccine, to protect against measles, mumps and rubella (once, if you were born after 1956, have never received the vaccine, and are not already immune)

Diabetes

Diabetics are at higher risk of hepatitis B than nondiabetics. If they are under 60 years old, they should receive the Hep B vaccine (three doses).

However the effectiveness of this vaccine decreases in older patients, and diabetics over the age of 60 should discuss with their healthcare provider whether they should receive it.

Kidney Disease

Anyone with kidney disease or kidney failure is at greater risk of Hepatitis B, and may need a Hep B vaccine (three doses). Although hepatitis is most commonly associated with the liver, it also affects the kidneys.

Liver Disease

Someone with with liver disease should receive:

1. The Hep A vaccine (two doses) and Hep B vaccine (three doses), because hepatitis affects the liver.
2. The MMR vaccine, to protect against measles, mumps and rubella (once, if born after 1956, have never received the vaccine, and are not already immune).

For many people, even if they have one of these conditions, the vaccines may be contraindicated for some reason. This information is not intended as medical advice. Every senior and every person with one of these conditions should consult with their personal healthcare provider about their own situation. And one conversation is not enough: new vaccines are always being developed, and guidelines are always being published.

At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we offer the very best of care in the most appropriate and patient-centered environment. This means always listening to our residents and patients and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence. And always maintaining the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.

Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.