How well do COVID vaccines work for older adults?

The coronavirus pandemic took a massive toll on all our lives and continues to disrupt our mental well-being. While the younger population are more likely to develop mild infections, people above the age of 50 and people with pre-existing comorbidities are at a greater risk of infections and more prone to fatalities. Keeping this aspect into consideration, government officials from around the world made sure that besides the frontline workers, older adults were the first to receive their COVID vaccines on time.

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It is important to note that anyone and everyone can get COVID-19. While the symptoms may vary, SARs-COV-2 does not differentiate between individuals.

However, as compared to younger adults, who are fit and have no pre-existing conditions, unvaccinated older adults and those with comorbidities are at a greater risk of contracting the virus and developing serious illness, as per the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention.

Read more: Coronavirus vaccine: How side-effects differ in younger people and older people, as per studies

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According to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preliminary data reveals that more than 99% of deaths over the last six months were among unvaccinated people.

The CDC suggests that Americans 50 years and older make up 27% of COVID-19 infections in preliminary June data. More complete data from May have them as 26% of all cases.

Experts say that this is a significant shift from December 2020 when 35% of all cases were among those ages 50 and older. Americans 50 years and beyond make up 36% of the population. Although the risk of serious illness and deaths are still predominant in older adults, there has been a considerable shift in the pattern since vaccination began in the country.

Additionally, a UK study also suggested a significant drop in COVID hospitalization cases among older adults after their vaccine rollout.

Read more: Coronavirus: What makes mRNA vaccines better than traditional vaccines?

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Vaccination is the only way to gain some immunity against the virus. Studies have suggested that certain COVID vaccines can prove effective against the new variants including the Delta variant, which makes it all the more important to get your vaccine shot. While you can still contract COVID-19 post vaccination, experts believe that vaccines can minimize the risk of hospitalization and death.

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At a time when we have just managed to contain the spread of the disease and are looking forward to a potential third wave, being mindful and adhering to COVID appropriate behaviour is the only way to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure a safe environment for our elders.

The Delta Plus variant, being more transmissible and infectious than the previous variants, maintaining social distance, double masking, practicing hygienic practices like washing of hands regularly or sanitizing it is of utmost importance.

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