There was a big push to get everyone vaccinated for the H1N1 virus.
Castle Medical Center's Dr. Patricia Avila says the emphasis shouldn't stop with that.
"You know, as we age, we become more susceptible to disease. In fact, viruses and bacteria and so it's so important as we age to remember to get our vaccines that are appropriate for our age group,” said Dr. Avila.
The doctor places a great deal of importance on seniors getting their vaccinations.
"Two major vaccines that I think are very important for today and that's the flu vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine,” said Dr. Avila.
Each year, six thousand people - many of them seniors - from pneumonia and its complications.
"And what is pneumonia? It's an infection in the long that's caused by a bacteria, if it is this particular bacteria. So we have a vaccine that one can take and it's generally recommended, a one time dose, after age 65,” said Dr. Avila.
If you have a pneumonia vaccination within five years of turning 65, then you should probably get a booster shot once you hit 65.
The value of the shot, according to the doctor, is obvious.
"In fact, streptococcal pneumonia, which is completely preventable with the vaccine or at least lessens the symptoms, can prevent major complications, especially during a hospitalization,” said Dr. Avila.
More research is being done all the time on vaccinations against the most comment medical problems.
This fall, you won't need to get several different flu shots like last year.
"We'll have combination in the vaccine of influenza A, influenza B, and the H1N1 2009 strain so we're going to have protection and I think that's important to note,” said Avila.
