You know you need an annual flu
shot, but if you’re 65 or older—or if
you’re under 65 but smoke or have
diabetes or asthma—you should also
consider getting a pneumococcal shot.
This one-time-only vaccination protects you from certain bacteria-based
illnesses, such as pneumonia and
meningitis. Flu and pneumonia are
far more serious than a few days of
medical misery: Together they’re the
eighth-leading cause of death in the
United States. —Holly Zimmerman
WHO’S GETTING
THEIR SHOTS?
Celebrate National Immunization Awareness
Month—August—by ordering a free wallet-size holder from AARP to keep records of
your vaccinations (and a list of the meds
you take). In English (D19472) or Spanish
(D19475); 1-888-687-2277. For more information about preventive-health screenings,
check out aarp.org/flu.
PROTEC T YOURSELF
Find the complete reports—“Promoting Preventive Services for Adults 50–64” and “Enhancing Use of Clinical Preventive Services Among Older Adults”—at cdc.gov/aging.
