On Tuesday evening, January 16, Navigating the Medical System featured a virtual lecture with Glenn S. Turett, MD, Infectious Diseases Physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, on adult vaccinations. The lecture series is hosted by Congregation Etz Chaim.
Dr. Mel Breite, Founder and Director of Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series, greeted everyone and introduced the guest speaker.
Next, Dr. Turett shared a comprehensive lecture on the most important vaccines for adults. He shared the following list of vaccines that he recommends for his patients: Influenza, tetanus, Shingrix, Pneumococcal, and Covid-19. He also discussed RSV vaccine, but he didn’t necessarily recommend that one take this vaccine at this time.
He shared the statistics of how many people in the United States die from influenza annually: 35,000-70,000. He explained that the flu can lead to a heart attack or a stroke, and it can exacerbate underlying pulmonary diseases. The current vaccine covers four strains of influenza. He recommends that you get vaccinated in October, or the latest by Thanksgiving time. He said taking it too early like in August means you may not be protected through the whole flu season in case it lasts into June.
He shared that strep pneumonia is responsible for 150,000 hospitalizations, and it has 5%-7% mortality rate. With the elderly, there is a higher mortality rate. He recommends anyone over 65 should get this vaccine.
He reviewed the different type of pneumonia vaccines. The Prevnar 13 was the primary vaccine given. In the last few years, Prevnar 20 is given and you only need one shot of this.
He then spoke about the shingles vaccine. Varicella Zoster virus (shingles) is a reactivation of chicken pox. You are more susceptible to shingles as you grow older. This is because the immune system weakens. Fifty percent of people who live to age 85 will develop shingles. The first shingles vaccine was developed in 2006. A severe aftereffect of shingles is nerve pain. Shingrix, the newer vaccine to prevent shingles, was developed in 2017, and it requires two shots and is 90% effective.
He recommends Covid boosters every six months to bring immunity to a protective level.
Dr. Turett has not been recommending the RSV vaccine because he feels he would like to see more data on the neurological effects of this vaccine.
He shared that some vaccines do not mix well with others. Testing is done to see which ones are compatible with each other. In general, most are. If you are getting two vaccines at once, do not get them both in one arm.
There was a lively Q&A session following the lecture.
Dr. Turett kindly answered all questions in detail. We thank Dr. Breite and Congregation Etz Chaim for this informative, helpful lecture series.
By Susie Garber
