Every fall, patients ask me the same question: "Which shots do I actually need?" It's a good question, and the answer has changed quite a bit in the past few years. New vaccines have been approved, older ones have been improved, and the recommendations for adults over 65 look different than they did a decade ago.
Here at Pinnacle Health in Sun City, Arizona, I see the difference immunizations make every single week. A shingles vaccine can spare you months of nerve pain. A pneumonia vaccine can keep you out of the hospital. These are some of the simplest, most effective tools we have in geriatric medicine, and I want every senior in Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Surprise, and Glendale to know exactly what they should be asking for.
Why Vaccines Matter More After 65
As we age, the immune system gradually becomes less responsive. Doctors call this "immunosenescence." In practical terms, it means your body doesn't fight off infections as vigorously as it did at 40, and it doesn't hold onto immunity from earlier vaccines as well either. Infections that would be a rough week for a younger adult can become a hospital stay for a senior, especially if you also live with diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or kidney disease.
Vaccines give your immune system a head start. Even when they don't prevent an infection entirely, they consistently reduce how sick you get, how long you stay sick, and how likely you are to end up in the hospital.
The Six Vaccines Every Senior Should Know About
1. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine — Every Year
The flu vaccine is recommended every fall for all adults, and it matters most for people over 65. Because immune response weakens with age, adults 65 and older should ask for a higher-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine, which is specifically designed to produce a stronger response in older adults. The ideal window in Arizona is September through October, before flu activity picks up in the winter months when many of our seasonal residents return to the valley.
2. COVID-19 Vaccine — Updated Dose
Adults 65 and older remain at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. The current guidance is to receive the updated vaccine formulation each season, similar to the flu shot. The two can be given at the same visit, one in each arm. If you're unsure whether you're up to date, bring your vaccine card or let us check your records.
3. RSV Vaccine — One-Time Dose
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) used to be thought of as a childhood illness, but it sends tens of thousands of older adults to the hospital every year. The RSV vaccine is recommended for all adults 75 and older, and for adults 60 to 74 who have chronic heart or lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, a weakened immune system, or who live in a nursing facility. For now, it's a single dose, not a yearly shot. Ideally it's given in late summer or early fall, before RSV season begins.
4. Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) Vaccine
Pneumococcal disease causes pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis, and it is a leading cause of hospitalization in older adults. The recommendations here have been simplified in recent years. Most adults 50 and older who have never been vaccinated now need just one dose of a newer conjugate vaccine (PCV20 or PCV21). If you received an older pneumonia vaccine years ago, you may need one additional dose to complete your protection. This is one of the most common gaps I find when I review a new patient's records, so it's worth asking about.
5. Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix) — Two Doses
If you had chickenpox as a child, the virus is still in your body, and it can reactivate as shingles later in life. Shingles causes a painful, blistering rash, and roughly one in ten people go on to develop postherpetic neuralgia, a nerve pain that can last for months or years. Shingrix is recommended for all adults 50 and older, given as two doses two to six months apart. It's more than 90 percent effective, and it's recommended even if you've already had shingles or received the older Zostavax vaccine.
6. Tdap or Td — Every 10 Years
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) protection fades over time. Every adult should have a Tdap booster once, followed by a Td or Tdap booster every ten years. If you spend time with grandchildren or great-grandchildren, the pertussis component matters: whooping cough is dangerous for infants, and adults are often the source. If you can't remember your last tetanus shot, it's probably time.
Other Vaccines to Discuss With Your Doctor
Depending on your health history and travel plans, you may also benefit from hepatitis B vaccination, which is now recommended for all adults up to age 59 and for older adults with risk factors, or the MMR vaccine if you were born after 1957 and don't have documented immunity. If you're planning international travel, bring that up at your visit well ahead of time.
Does Medicare Cover These Vaccines?
Yes, and this is good news for Sun City residents. Medicare Part B covers the flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines at no cost to you. Medicare Part D covers the shingles, RSV, and Tdap vaccines, and since 2023 these are also available with no copay under Part D. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the same protections apply. In short, cost should never be the reason a senior skips a recommended vaccine.
Is It Safe to Get Several Vaccines at Once?
For most people, yes. Getting flu and COVID-19 shots together is routine, and many patients add the RSV or pneumococcal vaccine to the same visit. The most common side effects are a sore arm, mild fatigue, or a low-grade fever for a day or two. That's your immune system doing its job. If you'd rather space them out, we can build a simple schedule that works for you.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
I'd encourage you to schedule a visit if you're not sure which vaccines you've had, if you've recently moved to the Sun City area and your records are scattered across different states, if you've been diagnosed with a new chronic condition like COPD, diabetes, or heart disease, or if you've had a serious reaction to a vaccine in the past and want to talk through your options. An immunization review is also a standard part of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, so if you're due for that, we can take care of both in one appointment.
Protect Yourself This Season
Fall is the right time to get caught up. Dr. Annie Khurana and the team at Pinnacle Health provide personalized immunization reviews as part of comprehensive primary and geriatric care for adults across Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Surprise, and Glendale. We'll look at your records, check what's covered, and help you get protected without the guesswork.
Call Pinnacle Health at (623) 295-2952 or schedule online today to book your vaccine review in Sun City, Arizona. Same-day appointments are often available.
Ready to talk with Dr. Khurana?
Pinnacle Health is welcoming new patients in Sun City and across the Northwest Valley. We'll listen, review your history, and build a plan that fits your life.