WASHINGTON — Most of us are pretty vigilant about making sure our children get required vaccines. But experts say we also ought to be concerned about the kid’s grandparents.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show Americans over the age of 60 are not receiving the immunizations they need.
Particularly worrisome is the low vaccination rate for influenza. Only one in three seniors get an annual flu shot, even though older adults are one of the groups most at risk of complications or even death from the disease.
The CDC also says four in 10 seniors are not immunized for pneumonia, and nearly half need a tetanus booster.
The lowest vaccination rates among older adults are for the relatively new shingles vaccines. Seventy six percent have not received a shingles shot as of 2013, the latest year for which numbers are available.
Experts site a number of reasons for the low vaccination rates. They say some older adults don’t bother because some of these vaccines are not 100-percent effective, although they can lessen the severity of a disease.
Another problem is money. While vaccines are fully covered under private insurances plans, Medicare only pays full freight for flu and pneumonia shots, and supplemental drug plans often require a hefty co-pay.
