The WAFP has a strong resource – Atlantic Health Partners – to help our members successfully address the financial and administrative challenges of providing immunizations to your patients.
Seven Vaccines for Patients Over 50
Many patients are vaccinated as children, but it's important that they remain up-to-date with routine vaccinations into adulthood. As patients age, their vaccine protection may weaken over time, making older adults more susceptible to infections and heightened symptom severity. To ensure patients of all ages are protected against preventable diseases, here is an overview of vaccines recommended for patients 50 and over.
Shingles
Shingles comes from the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. If a patient has previously been infected with chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in their body and reactivate later in life. The strongest method for preventing shingles is receiving the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all patients over 50 receive the vaccine to protect themselves against the disease. Patients should receive two doses of the vaccine, separated by two to six months.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for patients who are over 50 and born after 1957. Any patients born before 1957 do not need to receive the MMR vaccine because measles was so prevalent during their adolescence that they have presumed evidence of immunity.
Disclaimer: The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) has entered into a business relationship with Atlantic Health Partners to offer our members discounts and exclusive savings. This or other affinity program relationships presented by the WAFP in no way implies a WAFP endorsement of the program, supplier, or vendor.
