Seniors with pre-existing conditions should absolutely get vaccinated, as vaccines provide critical protection against serious illnesses that can be far more dangerous for them than for younger, healthier individuals. Aging naturally weakens the immune system, and when combined with chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, lung conditions, or weakened immunity, the risk of severe complications from infections like COVID-19, influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and pneumonia increases significantly. Vaccination helps reduce these risks by boosting the body’s ability to fight off infections and preventing hospitalizations and deaths.
Older adults face a natural decline in immune function, which means their bodies do not respond as robustly to infections or recover as quickly. This decline, known as immunosenescence, makes them more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria that might cause only mild illness in younger people but can lead to severe disease in seniors. When pre-existing conditions are present, this vulnerability is compounded. For example, someone with chronic lung disease may have less respiratory reserve, so a respiratory infection can quickly become life-threatening. Vaccines help by preparing the immune system to recognize and combat these pathogens more effectively, reducing the severity of illness or preventing it altogether.
Take COVID-19 as a prime example. Older adults, especially those with underlying health problems, have consistently been at the highest risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Vaccines against COVID-19 have undergone rigorous testing and have been shown to be safe and effective in this population. While no vaccine offers 100% protection against infection, vaccinated seniors are far less likely to experience severe symptoms or require hospitalization. Moreover, booster doses are recommended to maintain strong immunity, especially as new variants emerge and immunity wanes over time. Even if a senior has had COVID-19 before, vaccination is advised to strengthen and prolong protection.
Similarly, influenza poses a significant threat to seniors with chronic conditions. Each year, flu leads to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths, with the majority occurring in people aged 65 and older. Vaccination against the flu reduces the risk of severe illness and complications such as pneumonia, which can be deadly in this group. The flu vaccine is updated annually to match circulating strains, and getting vaccinated every year is important because immunity fades and flu viruses change.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is another respiratory infection that can cause serious illness in older adults, especially those with chronic lung o
