2 life-saving vaccines many older adults miss

If you’ve already gotten your flu and COVID-19 vaccines, you’re well on your way to staying healthy this winter. But there are two more vaccines you should ask your provider about — and they might not be on your radar at all. 

These are the Tdap and pneumococcal vaccines, both of which can help prevent particularly dangerous infections. Here’s what health experts want you to know about these shots, why they’re important, and when you should get them. 

Tdap vaccine 

The Tdap vaccine is a 3-in-1 shot that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. While diphtheria is rare and tetanus uncommon, pertussis — or whooping cough — is a contagious respiratory illness that still circulates in the community. It’s caused by bacteria that can lead to serious complications, including breathing difficulties. 

Early symptoms mimic those of the common cold, but the illness gets its name from the “whooping” sound that develops during severe coughing fits. In some cases, the coughing can be so intense that it causes rib fractures. 

“Pertussis is a disease that we mainly worry about in young children, but it can affect older adults too,” says Lawrence L. Livornese, Jr., M.D., an infectious disease doctor at Main Line Health in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. 

If you have grandchildren, you might hear about the Tdap vaccine from your family. Babies under age 1 are most at risk of severe illness, with 1 in 3 infants with whooping cough ending up in the hospital.  

“Parents of newborns are often advised not to let family members near the baby unless they’ve had an updated Tdap vaccine,” says Dr. Livornese. So, if your family requests it, consider getting boosted. It’s in everyone’s best interest. 

It is recommended that adults get the Tdap vaccine every 10 years. If you’re unsure whether you’re up to date, don’t worry. “If you can’t remember when you were last vaccinated, it’s safe to get another dose within that 10-year window,” says Dr. Livornese. Your provider can also check your vaccination history through electronic medical records. And remember, Tdap protects older adults from a potentially severe and lingering infection. Pertussis can persist for months — after all, it wasn’t nicknamed “the cough of 100 days” for nothing. 

Pneumococcal vaccine 

Are you 65 or older? If so, ask your health care provider whether you’ve received the pneumococcal vaccine, which is recommended for all older adults in this age group. 

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by pneumococcus bacteria. These bacteria spread through saliva or mucus. “It can cause pneumonia and meningitis, which is inflammation of the brain, leading to significant complications in a short time, including bacterial infections in the blood that can be deadly,” explains Delana Wardlaw, M.D., a family medicine doctor associated with Fair Hill Community Physicians, part of Temple Health in Philadelphia. 

Fortunately, there are vaccines available to help protect you against these illnesses. “This is a highly effective vaccine,” says Dr. Livornese. 

If you’re under 65 but have certain risk factors, your health care provider might recommend getting the pneumococcal vaccine sooner. Risk factors include: 

• Being immunocompromised  
• Having a cerebrospinal fluid leak  
• Having chronic heart, kidney, liver, or lung disease 
• Having diabetes  
• Having a cochlear implant  
• Smoking or having alcohol use disorder 

Discussing your vaccination needs with your provider based on your health will go a long way toward keeping you healthy year-round.