Vaccines with unexpected health benefits

Researchers have found that some vaccines do more than we thought. They can lower the risk of heart disease, dementia and some cancers. These benefits are especially important for older adults and people with other chronic health conditions.

Let’s look at a few examples…

The flu shot helps the heart and brain

Getting the flu vaccine yearly is already a good idea, especially for people over 60. However, recent studies show that it also protects your heart and brain. People who get the flu shot are about 34 percent less likely to have a serious heart event; that number rises to 45 percent in people who already had a heart attack or stroke and it may also lower the risk of memory loss as you age.

The shingles vaccine may lower dementia risk

The shingles vaccine protects against a painful skin rash caused by the chickenpox virus. However, a big study in the UK found that people who got the shingles vaccine were 20 percent less likely to develop dementia. This benefit was even stronger in women. Experts think this may be because the vaccine helps the immune system stay strong.

The HPV vaccine prevents more than cervical cancer

The HPV vaccine — first developed in Australia — is known for preventing cervical cancer, but it also helps protect against other cancers, like head and neck cancers. In men, the vaccine lowered the risk of these cancers by over 50 percent. That’s great news for older adults, because head and neck cancers are most common in those age groups.

The polio vaccine and COVID-19

While Australia no longer uses the oral polio vaccine, it is still used in other countries. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people who had recently received the oral polio vaccine seemed less likely to get very sick from COVID. This may be because live vaccines, like this one, give the immune system a general boost for a short time.

Why this matters for older adults

When we look at all these vaccines together, we see a bigger picture. Some vaccines can help prevent diseases like heart disease, dementia and cancer — major concerns for people over 60. This is especially important for people with long-term health problems, like polio survivors.

A special note for polio survivors

Many older Australians had polio as children before the polio vaccine was available. These people now experience post-polio conditions, which cause muscle weakness, fatigue and breathing problems. They also face a higher risk of falls and, if they do not remain active, may be at risk of developing heart disease. Even though they didn’t benefit from the polio vaccine as children, they can still protect their health now with vaccines, like the flu shot, shingles vaccine and COVID-19 boosters.

Keep your vaccines up to date

As we age, we focus more on managing health problems, but preventing new problems is just as important. Vaccines not only stop certain infections — they may also protect against other serious diseases linked to inflammation and the immune system.

So, now’s a good time to ask…
Are you up to date with your vaccines?
Have you had your flu shot this year, the shingles vaccine or a COVID-19 booster?

If you or someone you care for lives with long-term effects from an infection — like polio — vaccines can be an important part of staying healthy and independent.

Talk to your doctor about what vaccines are right for your age and health, because vaccines can do more than you think and that’s good news for all of us.

For more information about vaccination and post-polio survivors, please visit the Polio Australia website to learn more and access a range of resources to keep each other safe.