California has opened the COVID-19 vaccine to residents 65 and older, an announcement that comes just months before the expected introduction of the vaccine amid growing frustration over the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. Later this month, the California Department of Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will start Phase 1B.
Currently, 28 states and DC report vaccination data by age and 22 states do not report vaccination rates, meaning it is not possible to calculate the percentage of older adults in the US who have received the COVID-19 vaccine based on state-level data. The analysis looked at the number of doses of vaccine administered and the age at which the vaccines were given to older adults in each state that reported their vaccine age. Generally, the analysis shows that states are making progress in vaccinating older adults, but there is still a way to go before a large majority of that population is vaccinated. According to the data, in all states reporting at least one dose of vaccine in their age cohorts, the majority (66.5%) of the oldest adults have received some or all of the vaccines.
The aim is to ensure that everyone can get about the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as a sufficient quantity of the vaccine is available. In other words, the great benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine will only be realized if enough people can receive enough doses of it to achieve herd immunity.
Before you receive the COVID-19 vaccine, you should discuss the vaccine with your doctor, who can evaluate the injectable and other vaccines with you and assess the risks & side effects along with the safety of the vaccine. People who have been injected with medication should inform their doctor if they have any side effects. Allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine are very rare and tend to occur in people who have already had an allergy to other vaccines.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that older adults reported fewer adverse events after administering the COVID-19 vaccine than younger people. Anderson says the vaccine’s side effects are rarer and more severe, and there is evidence that many older adults receive higher doses of the flu vaccine. Of course, participants in the vaccine trial who were 75 years and older were overall more susceptible to shingles, pneumonia, and other infectious diseases, but no one should assume that they are better off than a healthy 90-year-old.
Many people are ambivalent, because they want to protect themselves from infection, but fear the potential side effects of vaccination. Some carers and their families are also concerned that not enough time has been devoted to the study of the new COVID-19 vaccine and the decision to wait and to inform themselves before vaccination. Even people who have already had COVID-19 should not plan to take it, as science is currently unclear whether they will be protected naturally from a second COVID infection in the future.
Generally, the COVID-19 vaccine is very effective, and it is safe for seniors to get their two doses and then wait two weeks for the best possible immunity to set in. Fortunately, there are several vaccines available for older people that can significantly reduce the risks associated with them. Seniors need more time before their immune systems stop responding so strongly after regular doses of vaccination.
Older adults may not be fully vaccinated like children, and immunity may decline, so it is important that they keep vaccines up-to-date. Senior citizens in particular are at higher risk of asymptomatic infections and potentially life-threatening infections. As we do not know whether the COVID-19 vaccine prevents asymptomatic or other infectious diseases, people should be cautious.
The effective COVID-19 vaccine will help protect people who come into contact with the virus from disease. Vaccination against COVID-19 can help prevent you from getting seriously ill, even if you get it, but forget it. Keep up to date on which vaccines are available, who can get them, and how safe they are, as well as other important information about the vaccine.
Comfort Keepers of Santa Clarita is the largest provider of home care services in the Santa Clarita Valley, with over a decade of experience with senior home care. It is our mission to support families in need by offering services that range from part-time to long-term. Your aging senior deserves to stay in the comfort of their own home, and with our help, you can rest assured knowing that they are in safe hands. Each trained caregiver is a professional making sure your loved one is safe & happy. One of our Care Managers would love to answer any questions you may have, so give us a call or visit our website to learn more about our wide range of services for both you and your senior loved one.
Comfort Keepers of Santa Clarita
23900 Lyons Ave
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
(661) 417-0904
www.homecaresantaclarita.com
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