Vaccinations for Seniors

We usually think of routine shots for children, but boomers and above need regular shots too. There are 5 that should be on everyone-over-50’s list:

Tetanus-diphtheria (Td): You should have a single-dose booster every 10 years. If necessary, you can start over again after a long pause (or uncertainty) with 3 doses over one year.

Flu: One dose every year after age 50.

Pneumococcal pneumonia: One dose after you reach 65.

Shingles: One dose after you reach 60 if you have ever had chickenpox. (The virus lies dormant in most people who have had chickenpox, but re-emerges in 15% as the very unpleasant shingles disease.)

Whooping cough: The new acellular vaccine Tdap includes tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, the vaccine against whooping cough; it is unlikely to cause any severe reaction. Have one every 10 years, the first 10 years after your last regular tetanus-diphtheria shot.