August 24, 2020
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NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING ENCOURAGES OLDER NEW YORKERS TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONSReceiving Recommended Vaccines Against Influenza, Pneumococcal Disease Even More Critical for the Health and Safety of Older Adults, Who Remain at High Risk for COVID-19 |
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The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) is encouraging older New Yorkers to make sure they are up to date with all recommended immunizations, including those that provide protection against respiratory illnesses such as influenza and pneumococcal disease. Routine vaccination is an essential preventive care service that should not be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Staying healthy during this pandemic is critical, particularly for older adults, who are at greater risk for COVID-19,” said NYSOFA Acting Director Greg Olsen. “Our immune systems are more easily compromised as we age, and older adults, especially those with chronic health conditions, have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill. In addition to following all safety and social distancing protocols, getting recommended vaccinations, especially those that guard against respiratory illnesses such as influenza and pneumococcal disease, are vital to protect the health and wellbeing of older adults and caregivers.” August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Older adults should consult with their healthcare provider to ensure that vaccinations and other preventive services are up to date. “Flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months of age and older, particularly those at greater risk, get their annual flu vaccine by the end of October. People 65 years and older should also be up to date with the pneumococcal vaccination to protect against pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. While these vaccines do not specifically protect against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, they are highly recommended to maintain overall health and protect against other respiratory illnesses. The CDC recommends the following actions for older adults:
Resources for older adults and caregivers: CDC: Recommended vaccinations for adults CDC: COVID-19 and older adults Medicare.gov: Yearly wellness visits About the New York State Office for the Aging and Health Across All Policies/Age-Friendly New York The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) continuously works to help the state’s 4.3 million older adults be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. New York is nationally recognized for being the first age-friendly state in the nation. Using the state’s Prevention Agenda as the overarching framework, in 2017, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched a Health Across All Policies approach, where public and private partners work together to positively impact population health by marrying health care, preventive health, and community design, in concert with addressing social determinants of health, to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, young and old. Stay connected—download the NYSOFA mobile app for iOS or Android; visit the NYSOFA Facebook page; follow @NYSAGING on Twitter and NYSAging on Instagram; or visit aging.ny.gov. |
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