Keep your lungs healthy with these 5 essential vaccines
Vaccines protect your lungs from serious illnesses like flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Learn which vaccines are must-haves and how they can help you breathe easier.
Vaccines offer your immune system a cheat sheet on how best to fight any intruder. They teach your body how to banish illness before it can do any serious damage. Vaccines are vital to living your best life. But they’re even more important for people with asthma, who may be at a higher risk of complications from diseases like COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia.
Read on to find out more about the essential vaccines that can help your lungs stay healthy and strong.
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COVID-19
The COVID-19 vaccine helps your immune system learn how to fight off COVID more effectively. If you do catch COVID, being vaccinated will reduce your risk of serious illness and hospitalization from the virus.
When to get it: The timing of your COVID shot depends on when you got your last COVID shot. Ask your primary care physician or case manager if you aren’t sure when you’re due for your shot.
Flu
The influenza vaccine, or flu shot, protects you from infection and complications from the influenza virus.
When to get it: Experts recommend getting your flu shot every fall in September or October. Flu infections spike every winter, so getting vaccinated in this time frame will set you up for success.
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Pneumonia
A new pneumonia vaccine for adults, CAPVAXIVE, protects against severe respiratory illness from 21 different types of pneumococcal bacteria.
When to get it: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults ages 19 to 64 with underlying conditions such as chronic heart, liver, or lung disease get vaccinated against pneumonia, as should every adult over the age of 65. You can get a pneumonia vaccine any time of year.
Tdap
The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is part of a vaccine known as the Tdap. This immunization protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
When to get it: The American Lung Association (ALA) recommends all adults get their Tdap shot. You can get your Tdap any time of year, every 10 years. The ALA especially urges those with lung conditions like asthma not to delay. Pertussis can cause more serious complications in these individuals.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
The new RSV vaccine can help protect you from this contagious respiratory virus. RSV usually causes mild symptoms, but certain groups of people have a higher risk of becoming severely sick from the virus.
When to get it: Adults ages 75 and older should receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine. The same goes for adults ages 60 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV. Your doctor can help determine whether the RSV vaccine is right for you. If you received the RSV vaccine last year, you don’t need another dose this year.
