Vaccinate

Vaccines and Frailty: What do We Know?
As we age, our body’s ability to bounce back from health stressors is reduced. Once minor health conditions, such as a fall, can become the first step in a downward health spiral leading to frailty. Why does this matter? Infectious diseases are more likely to cause negative health outcomes in older adults living with frailty.
Negative health outcomes include:
- Hospitalization
- Prolonged bed rest
- Cardiovascular events
- Death
Watch Hal Johnson & Joanne McLeod of BodyBreak discuss the importance of vaccinations, especially for older adults living with frailty!
Vaccines can help us avoid contracting diseases such as the flu, shingles, pneumonia, and more. Vaccines are scientifically proven to reduce the risk of contracting certain diseases.
Today in Canada, less than 5% of people die from infectious diseases thanks to the invention of vaccines. A hundred years ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death worldwide—look how far we’ve come!


Important vaccines for healthy adults aged 60 years and older:
- Influenza Vaccine* (annually)
- Shingles Vaccine (one-time vaccine)
- Pneumococcal Vaccine (one-time vaccine)
*After age 65, it is recommended that people get the high dose flu vaccine, which has been proven more effective in protecting older adults.
Ask your doctor about booster shots for:
- Tetanus (booster every 10 years)
- Diphtheria (booster every 10 years)
- Pertussis (whooping cough) (one booster as an adult)






EXACT Survey (funded by CFN in collaboration with Sanofi Canada)
Educational Webinar: Influenza Vaccination—A Shot Against Frailty in Older Adults
Principal Investigator: Melissa Andrew, BSc, MSc, MD
Network Partner: International Federation on Aging
Network Partner: Sanofi Canada
Network Partner: Innovative Medicines Canada (formerly Rx&D)
Government of Canada
Provincial and Territorial Immunization Information
Public Funding for Influenza Vaccination by Province/Territory (as of September 2019)
Flu (Influenza): Get Your Flu Shot
Not Just for Kids: An Adult Guide to Vaccination
CANImmunize
A Digital Vaccination Record for Canadians—An Electronic App
Older Adults and Vaccination: It’s a Lifelong Process
International Federation on Ageing
Addressing Barriers to Adult Vaccination (Webinar)
Identifying Barriers to Adult Influenza Vaccination in Canada Report
Infographic: The Role of Adult Vaccinations as part of Healthy Ageing
Vaccines Today
Influenza Hub
Immunize Canada
Recommended Reading
Getting the Flu Shot this Year? Here’s Why You Should
Influenza Vaccination has an Additional Layer of Benefit—Preventing Frailty
Government of Canada. (29 March 2019). Vaccination for adults. [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/vaccination-adults.html#a3
Public Health Agency of Canada. (16 August 2019). Seasonal influenza vaccine pocket guide 2019/20 edition: Recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) 2019–2020. [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/seasonal-influenza-vaccine-pocket-guide.html
These are general health guidelines and should not be considered personal medical advice. You should consult your health care provider and discuss each element outlined above to ensure that each element of the AVOID Frailty campaign is personally customized for you.