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Elderly individuals are invited to get vaccinated against COVID

CHIHUAHUAN| José Rodríguez got vaccinated against COVID and the flu. (Picture/El Comercio de Colorado)

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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José Rodríguez, 71, shared his motivation for getting vaccinated against COVID and the flu during a vaccination event at the Village Exchange Center (VEC). With a thoughtful gaze, Rodríguez expressed that, at his age, prevention is better than regret. “I’ve witnessed how the virus has severely affected the health of acquaintances. Knowing that, and seeing that the virus is everywhere, made me decide not to continue risking facing serious complications that could send me to the hospital,” said Rodríguez.

As a Chihuahuan, he walked several blocks to reach the VEC. “I live nearby and when I heard about this event, I came here. And the vaccine is free,” he added. Rodríguez’s concerns align with the explanation provided by Andrés Henao Martínez, an infectious disease specialist. Martínez explains that elderly individuals are more vulnerable to COVID due to aging immune systems and the presence of chronic diseases.

“It is quite probable that as age advances, the vulnerability of the body increases. This vulnerability translates into a higher risk of hospitalization and severe illness if an infection like COVID is contracted,” Henao Martínez indicates. According to this doctor and researcher at the University of Colorado in Denver (UC-Denver), some individuals also compromise their health as they age due to conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Immunity is lost with new viruses

Despite the availability of the vaccine, many elderly individuals are hesitant to get vaccinated. “They mistakenly believe that immunity acquired from a previous infection will protect them. However, people should know that viruses mutate and that immunity can be lost over time, so vaccination remains crucial to protect against new variants,” he said. This doctor emphasized that the current COVID vaccine was updated for the last quarter of 2023, which means it combats the current virus.

In addition to the immediate risk of severe illness, COVID can leave long-term effects, known as “Long COVID.” Martínez highlights that this condition, characterized by a variety of persistent symptoms, is subject to intense research. It is believed to be related to permanent imbalances in the immune system and changes in the brain. “Aspects such as memory and other brain faculties have decreased in some patients who have suffered from COVID. That is documented,” Rodríguez reiterates.

Consult your doctor

Invitan a los adultos mayores a vacunarse contra el COVID

Martínez strongly recommends that older individuals consult with their primary care physician and consider scheduling COVID vaccination. “The winter season is critical. There is a highly contagious strain of COVID. It is also time to vaccinate against other respiratory viruses that are circulating. In a winter marked by increasing cases of COVID and other respiratory viruses, prevention is fundamental to protect the health and well-being of the elderly population,” Henao Martínez concluded.