Over 50? Lubbock Says You Should Get These Vaccinations

Before I begin talking about recommended vaccinations, I want to preface that each person is different. If you are hesitant about certain vaccines or choose not to receive them, you should always speak with your doctor for further discussion.

According to the City of Lubbock website, there is a full schedule of what immunization shots adults should be getting from the moment they turn 19 years old to past the age of 65.

So, what needle pricks should the 50+ age group be getting? Let's find out.

Recommended Vaccinations for Adults

We'll start off with the fan favorite: COVID-19. Whether or not you choose to get them, it's recommended that adults of all ages receive two doses (plus the booster if you're feeling groovy).

Next is the tried and true influenza vaccine, also known as the flu shot. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people over 50 should get one flu shot each year.

Now we get to the fun ones, starting with tetanus shots. The CDC says that all adults over 50 years of age should get the initial dose, then a booster once every 10 years.

• Tetanus is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and is typically transmitted via open wounds, causing muscle spasms and even life-threatening symptoms.

The CDC also recommends that individuals over the age of 50 receive two doses of the zoster recombinant vaccine.

• Zoster recombinant is a fancy term for shingles, a painful skin rash that can cause fevers, headaches, and in extreme cases, pneumonia

Finally, the other two vaccinates—measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B—are recommended for those through the ages of 60-64. Roughly two doses each are recommended, but more or fewer may be administered depending on the person.

• Measles is an extremely contagious disease that can cause high fevers, rashes, and even pink eye
• Mumps is a virus that causes the salivary glands just under each ear to swell, creating a chipmunk-like appearance
• Rubella (AKA German measles) is common in children and can include symptoms from both measles and mumps
• Hepatitis B is a viral infection, often spreading silently in the body for years, targeting cells in the liver, causing inflammation and potential infection

So, whether you are for or against vaccinations, it's still important to understand what they are actually intended for. Who knows, you may have learned something. For instance, I learned that there are diseases and infections out there that really make living in a plastic bubble look more and more appealing.