Give Life Your Best Shot

16/04/2022

In our last post we talked about getting your vaccine to help protect you from contracting shingles. The shingles vaccine is called Shingrix. It is a two dose vaccine and is recommended for everyone 50 years and older. The vaccine will prevent shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. The CDC states that everyone who has had shingles, received Zostavax, or the varicella vaccine and are 50 or older to get the shingles shot.

Click the link below to go to the CDC website to learn more about Shingrix today.

Head to your local pharmacy or to your primary care physician to schedule and receive your vaccine!

Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles

16/04/2022

What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It can last up anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks, and possibly longer if not treated properly. It causes blisters on the skin typically found on the back, side, and areas of the face. There are several antiviral medications and ointments available to treat this condition. However, shingles can be life-threatening if you have cancer, diabetes, HIV, or any other illness that weakens the immune system.

Can you get shingles more than once?
Typically patients only get shingles one time but there are cases when people get it more than once! The best way to protect yourself from not contracting shingles is to get vaccinated and seek medical attention if you have a rash on your body that blisters and burns to receive treatment for shingles as soon as possible.

How many people are affected?
Information from the CDC shows that 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime.

Information provided by the CDC and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

14/04/2022

The Covid-19 second booster is now available for individuals over the age of 50.
Some things to keep in mind:
- The boosters that are available are Pfizer and Moderna
- You are eligible to receive the second booster if it has been more than four months
- Individuals who received J&J are eligible for one booster and it can be either Pfizer or Moderna
For more information feel free to read this helpful article: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/covid-booster-shots-heres-who-is-eligible-for-a-fourth-vaccine-dose/2798820/ #:~:text=For%20the%20more%20than%204,compromised%20as%20young%20as%2012.

13/04/2022

Yesterday we talked about the PCV20 vaccine for pneumonia. The PCV20 vaccine is one of 2 vaccines that the CDC recommends for adults 65+. All adults 65+ who have not received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) should received 1 dose of PCV15 or PCV20. If you receive PVC15 you will receive a follow up dose of PPSV23 at least one year later.

Head to your local Walgreens, Costco, Sam's Club or CVS to schedule and receive your pneumonia vaccine today!

Reason #1: Vaccine-preventable diseases haven’t gone away

11/04/2022

What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of your lungs. There are different types of pneumonia including viral and bacterial. Viral pneumonia can be caused by the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID). Bacterial pneumonia is often caused by Streptococcus pneumonias (pnemococcus). Sometimes our healthcare team is unable to pin point what germ caused you to get pneumonia.

What other types of pneumonia are there?
We have 3 other types of pneumonia that can occur. First we have community-acquired pneumonia, which is when someone in your community develops pneumonia in your community. Second is healthcare-associated pneumonia where someone develops pneumonia when they are hospitalized or following their hospital stay. Finally theres ventilator-associated pneumonia where someone gets pneumonia after being placed on a machines that supports your breathing, a ventilator.

How many people are affected?
Information from the CDC in 2018 shows that 1.5 million people were diagnosed with pneumonia in an emergency department and 44,000 people died from pneumonia.

Information provided by the CDC.

11/04/2022

It's time to start thinking about getting the Prevnar 20 shot. This time of year we are recommending the Prevnar 20 Vaccine to adults 65 and older or anyone over 19 who is immunocompromised. It helps protect against 20 types of pneumonia bacteria that can cause serious infections. It is just one dose and is available at most pharmacies and doctors' offices. Don't delay!

See risks & benefits for PREVNAR 20™, a one-dose vaccine that helps protect against 20 strains of the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia.

08/04/2022

Take a look at this interesting article written by Lindsay Clarke, the Senior Vice President of Health Education and Advocacy at Alliance for Aging Research, featured by the National Foundations for Infectious Diseases!

In recognition of Healthy Aging Month, NFID and the Alliance for Aging Research (AAR)—a proud supporter of the Keep Up The Rates campaign—encourage all older adults to stay up to date on recommende…

07/04/2022

As we look at the infographic we learn about the increased risk of heart disease complications and the flu.

Not to mention the even greater danger for serious flu complications for people diagnosed with a chronic heart disease condition or a known history of a stroke. About half of the people hospitalized with the flu have heart disease.

If you have heart disease or a history of a stroke it is imperative to get a flu vaccine every flu season to not just protect against the flu, but the potentially serious complications that come along with it.

05/04/2022

As we age, our immune system weakens and puts us at a higher risk for diseases like the flu, shingles and pneumonia. Some conditions can make it even harder for your body to fight off these infections and cause severe complications. These conditions include COPD, heart disease, diabetes and many more.
For example, if you have diabetes, the flu can cause your blood sugar to reach dangerous levels causing further damage to your body.

When you get vaccinated you are less likely to get sick and less likely to get others around you sick! Recommended vaccines protect you and the people you love.

We'll talk more about how the flu impacts the work load on your heart tomorrow!

This short animated film gives an overview of how vaccines work, highlights the importance of vaccination, debunks common myths and misconceptions, addresses...

05/04/2022

Welcome to our page! This page is run by a group of nursing students, who are graduating in May from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

We had the pleasure of having our last clinical rotation at a Senior Living Community. While we were there we noticed a huge need for education about vaccines for these residents. We created this page to help not only our friends at the Senior Living Community, but also for individuals 50+ and their families in other communities as well.

We hope you find some helpful information about the importance of vaccines, where you can find local vaccine drives/clinics and how to improve you or your loved ones health. Overall, we hope you find this page as a safe place to ask questions and share your concerns vaccinations.