Protecting Residents from Respiratory Illness: 2024 Vaccination Recommendations
Long-term care and assisted living communities are home to many older adults who are at increased risk of severe illness from influenza, COVID-19, RSV and pneumococcal disease. Outbreaks in these communities can have devastating consequences. By getting vaccinated, residents can protect themselves and help prevent the spread to other residents, family, and community staff.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccination
People 65 years and older are at highest risk of developing complications from flu. Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect against getting the flu. For older adults, getting a flu vaccine reduces hospitalizations by 40% – 60%.
An annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. The best time to receive a flu vaccine is September through October. Trivalent flu vaccines are available this year and offer similar protection as quadrivalent vaccines.
Receiving a flu vaccine reduces the risk for:
- Illness/symptoms from flu
- Hospitalization
- Admission to the ICU
- Dying from flu or its complications
COVID-19 Vaccination
Older adults are at the highest risk of getting COVID-19 and experiencing illness. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. Underlying health conditions increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends individuals receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, even if they have received previously recommended COVID-19 vaccines. Receiving an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine can restore and enhance protection against currently circulating virus variants.
Benefits of receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine include:
- Reduced risk of getting seriously ill and of long COVID-19
- A safer way to build protection than getting infected
- Added protection for those who have been previously infected, including protection against being hospitalized
- Reduced risk of death from COVID-19 or related complications
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is a common virus that infects the respiratory tract and lungs. It causes cold-like symptoms but can lead to severe illness like pneumonia, with up to 160,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths annually in older adults. Severe cases may include fever, severe cough, wheezing, difficult or rapid breathing, and discoloration of the skin.
The RSV vaccine is over 80% effective in preventing lower respiratory tract disease like pneumonia. RSV vaccination also reduces the risk for RSV-related hospitalization and reduces the severity of RSV symptoms. Clinical trial data suggests protection can last for at least two years.
Why vaccinate against RSV now when it wasn’t recommended before? Scientists have worked on a safe, effective RSV vaccine since the 1980s. A 2013 breakthrough on how the virus worked led to FDA approval of the first vaccines in May 2023. Three vaccines are now available for older adults.
Who should get the RSV vaccine?
- All adults aged 75 years and older
- Adults aged 60-74 years who are at increased risk for severe infection
- Chronic medical conditions, especially lung or heart disease
- Reside in long-term care communities
The best time to vaccinate against RSV is before it spreads, typically late summer or early fall, but it can be given anytime as RSV cases occur year-round. Only a single dose of RSV vaccine is recommended currently.
Pneumococcal Vaccination
Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can range from mild to severe and is the is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia that leads to hospitalization. Severe diseases include invasive lung, blood and brain infections including pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.
Pneumococcal vaccine is approximately 60-75% effective against vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease and 45% effective against vaccine-type pneumococcal pneumonia.
All adults 65 years and older and adults aged 60-74 years who are at increased risk for severe infection should receive a pneumococcal vaccine. Benefits of receiving a pneumococcal vaccine include:
- Reduced risk for severe disease which may lead to hospitalization and death
- Reduced risk of spread of pneumococcal bacteria
Pneumococcal vaccines can be given at anytime, independent of season or time of year
Multiple pneumococcal vaccines are currently available including Capvaxive (PCV21), Prevnar 20 (PCV20), Vaxneuvance (PCV15) and Pneumovax (PPSV23). Your Guardian pharmacist or nurse is available to help choose which vaccine is best for each individual.
It’s important to note that flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal and RSV vaccines are not recommended for people who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or vaccine component.
On-Site Community Vaccination Clinics
Guardian pharmacies offer on-site vaccination clinics at your community to help protect residents from respiratory illness this season. There are many benefits to choosing Guardian Pharmacy vaccinators, including:
- Comfort and ease of personally knowing your vaccine team
- Knowledge specific for your residents and community
- Convenient sign up thru a digital vaccine consent
- Finalized clinic reports sent to your community and readily available for your access
Contact your local Guardian Pharmacy to inquire about on-site vaccination clinics or for more information about vaccinations to protect residents from respiratory illness.
