The Essential Vaccines Every Older Adult Canadian Needs - COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, Pneumococcal Disease, Shingles, Tetanus, and Diphtheria
By Dr. Samir Sinha
Vaccines are important throughout our lives, and especially as we get older, to maintain our health and independence. As scientific advances continue to make both new and updated vaccines available for older Canadians, it's essential that we all make an effort to stay up to date.
This most exciting development has been the introduction of an RSV vaccine for Canadians 60 years and older as well as updated COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is highly contagious, and for most people, it manifests like a common cold. But in more vulnerable populations, like older adults, there is an increased risk of experiencing pneumonia, hospitalizations and deaths.
Arexvy is the first vaccine approved by Health Canada to protect older Canadians against RSV. Currently, it is expected that Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) will be releasing recommendations on RSV vaccines for Canadians 60 years and older in 2024, however, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC ACIP) recommends that adults aged 60 years and older may receive one dose of RSV vaccines, based on an informed decision-making process between individuals and their health care providers. Given how effective the vaccine is to prevent severe illness from RSV infections amongst older adults for at least two seasons, it is already being widely recommended by health care providers to their patients.
In addition to the RSV vaccine, there have been other new and updated vaccines that have become approved by Health Canada. It’s important to know which vaccines are recommended and when to speak to your health care provider about them.
National Institute on Ageing Launches Updated Vaccine Pamphlets with Recommendations for Older Adults
To make it easier for older Canadians to keep track of the latest guidance on vaccines for them, the NIA has released updated versions of its two pamphlets titled A Guide to Vaccines for Older Canadians, and COVID-19 Vaccines — What Older Canadians Need to Know.
These new pamphlets will help older Canadians better make informed choices around vaccinations for this upcoming cold and flu season and beyond.
Below is a summary of the NIA’s recommendations on vaccines that are important for older Canadians to consider.
COVID-19 Vaccines:
Beginning this fall, Canada’s NACI recommends older Canadians who have at least received a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (usually two doses), receive a dose of the new XBB.1.5-containing COVID-19 vaccine, if it has been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccines remain the preferred COVID-19 vaccines, with the Novavax vaccine recommended to be used for those who are unwilling or unable to receive mRNA vaccines.
Influenza Vaccines:
NACI recommends Canadians get the influenza vaccine each year as the specific strains in the vaccines often change each year to better match the current influenza viruses and our body’s immune response may not persist beyond a year. NACI recommends that older adults be provided with any of the available vaccines for older Canadians.
The United States CDC ACIP recently recommended that if older adults have a choice between a standard dose or an enhanced vaccine, an enhanced vaccine should be the preferred option as these vaccines provide better overall protection for older adults.
Pneumococcal Vaccines:
NACI recommends all adults aged 65 years and older get the Prevnar 20 vaccine, regardless of whether or not they have previously received a pneumococcal vaccination. As an alternative, those who have never received a pneumococcal vaccination may get Vaxneuvance followed by Pneumovax 23 a year later.
For older adults who have received Pneumovax 23 alone or together with Prevnar 13, Prevnar 20 should be given after five years. For older adults who have received Prevnar 13 alone, Prevnar 20 may be given after one year.
NACI still supports the continued use of Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 in adults only when Vaxneuvance and/or Prevnar 20 are unavailable or inaccessible.
Shingles:
NACI recommends that Canadians aged 50 years and older get the Shingrix vaccine, but the Zostavax II vaccine may be offered for certain groups when the Shingrix vaccine cannot be used.
Tetanus and Diphtheria:
NACI recommends that fully immunized adults receive a booster dose of the tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccines every 10 years.
For those who have not been immunized in adulthood, one dose of the Tdap vaccine (which also protects against pertussis (whooping cough) is recommended first. For adults who have never received these vaccines at all, one dose of the Tdap-IPV vaccine (Tdap plus polio prevention), along with two doses of any Td-containing vaccine (e.g., Td, Tdap, Tdap-IPV) is recommended first.
Maintaining a record of your immunizations:
You can keep track of your vaccines through one of the following ways:
Download and print the vaccination log in the guide. Ask your health care provider to log each vaccine you receive in this chart. Keep this record in a safe place with your other important health documents.
Ask your health care provider or public health office for a card or booklet to keep track of your immunizations.
Use the FREE CANImmunize Website and App (Google Play or App Store) to track your vaccines through your computer, phone or tablet.
Finally, A simple way to remember to check in with your health care provider is to schedule an appointment around your next birthday. Birthdays are a great reminder to speak with your primary health care provider about what vaccines and other preventable health measures you might be eligible for.