Every day we become one day older. As we age, our immune system weakens, making older adults more vulnerable to serious infections.
Immunisation is a vital tool in protecting us from preventable diseases, reducing the risk of hospitalisation and maintaining our quality of life.
In Australia, the National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides some immunisations at no cost. There are others, where a fee will be applicable. It is important to have that discussion with your General Practitioner
How Vaccines Work
Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies that recognise and fight off harmful viruses or bacteria. Unlike natural infections, vaccines introduce a harmless form of the pathogen (or a genetic blueprint for an immune response) without causing illness. This allows the body to develop immunity safely.
Recommended Vaccines
As we transition from the warmer months into autumn, it will be a good opportunity to review the following immunisations which may be due:
1. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
- The flu can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia or hospitalisation.
- An annual influenza immunisation will provide protection, and this has been made available at no cost for Queenslanders.
2. Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumonia)
- Protects against pneumococcal disease, a leading cause of pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis.
3. Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccine
- Prevents shingles, a painful nerve condition caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus.
4. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine
- RSV is a common virus that can cause severe respiratory infections, particularly in older adults. This can lead to complications like pneumonia and exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma or COPD.
5. COVID-19 Vaccine
- Covid boosters are recommended, especially for older adults, as immunity can wane over time. All adults over the age of seventy-five should consider having a booster every 6 months.
6. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Whooping Cough (dTpa)
- A booster is recommended to maintain protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) every 10 years. Due to the period between immunisations, we tend to forget about the booster.
By staying up to date with vaccinations you can prevent severe illness from infectious diseases and hospitalisation. It is important to have that conversation with your GP to see which immunisations are due.
Dr Nick Yim - GP Hervey Bay Doctors