Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 2, 2016

THE GOOD LIFE

10

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 2, 2016 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

BOOSTER SHOTS RECOMMENDED FOR SENIORS 


Dear Savvy Senior,

I just turned 65 and would like to find out what types of 
vaccinations are recommended to Medicare beneficiaries, 
and how they are covered. 

Health Conscious 

Dear Conscious,

Most people think that vaccinations are just for kids, 
but adults, especially seniors who tend to have weaker 
immune systems, need their shots too. Here’s a rundown 
of what vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) recommend for seniors 65 and older, 
and how they’re covered by Medicare.

 Flu (Influenza): While you probably already know 
that flu shots are recommended every fall to all seniors, 
you may not know that those over 65 also have the 
option of getting a high-dose flu vaccine instead of a 
regular flu shot. This vaccine – known as the Fluzone 
High-Dose – has four times the amount of antigen as a 
regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune 
response for better protection. All annual flu shots are 
covered under Medicare Part B.

 Td/Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): A one-
time dose of the Tdap vaccine, which covers tetanus, 
diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) is 
recommended to all adults. If you’ve already had a Tdap 
shot, you should return to getting a tetanus-diphtheria 
(Td) booster shot every 10 years. All Medicare Part D 
prescription drug plans cover these vaccinations. 

 Pneumococcal: This vaccine protects against 
pneumonia, which kills about 50,000 Americans each 
year. It’s now recommended that all seniors, 65 or older, 
get two separate vaccines – Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 
23 – at different times. Medicare Part B covers both shots 
if they are taken at least 11 months apart.

 Shingles (zoster): Caused by the same virus that causes 
chicken pox, shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash 
that affects more than 1 million Americans each year. 
All people over age 60 should get the Zostavax vaccine, 
even if they’ve had shingles before. All Medicare Part D 
prescription drug plans cover this one-time vaccination, 
but coverage amounts and reimbursement rules vary 
depending on where the shot is given. Check your plan. 

 Varicella (chickenpox): If you’ve never had the 
chicken pox, this two-dose vaccine (called Varivax) is 
recommended to adults, and is also covered by Medicare 
Part D plans.

Hepatitis A: This is a two-dose series of shots 
recommended to adults that have chronic liver disease, 
a clotting-factor disorder, have same-sex male partners, 
illicit injectable drug use, or who have close contact with 
a hepatitis A-infected individual or who travel to areas 
with a high incidence of hepatitis A. These shots are 
covered by Medicare Part D drug plans.

 Hepatitis B: This three-dose series is recommended 
to adults who are on dialysis, have renal disease or liver 
disease, are sexually active with more than one partner, 
have a sexually transmitted disease or HIV. These 
vaccinations are covered under Medicare Part B. 

 Meningococcal: Adults 56 and older, who have had 
their spleen removed, have certain blood deficiencies 
or plan to travel to parts of the world where meningitis 
is common, should receive the meningococcal 
polysaccharide vaccine. This is covered by Medicare Part 
D.

 To help you get a handle on which vaccines are 
appropriate for you, take the CDC’s What Vaccines Do 
You Need? quiz at www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched. 
Also, talk to your doctor during your next visit about 
what vaccinations you should get. 

 If you can’t remember which vaccines you’ve already 
had, check with your past doctors to see if they have 
any records, or contact your state’s health department. 
Some agencies have vaccination registries (see 
vaccineinformation.org/state-immunization-programs) 
that may help you. 

 If you can’t locate your records, your doctor can 
give you blood tests to see if you’re immune to certain 
vaccine-preventable diseases. Or, they may just give you 
the shot. It’s safe to repeat vaccines, according to the 
CDC.

 Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. 
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. 
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and 
author of “The Savvy Senior” book.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …April Birthdays

Howard Rubin, Hattie Harris, Mary Harley, Bette White, Dorothy White, Doris 
Behrens, Freda Bernard, Beth Copti, Terri Cummings, Marilyn Diaz, Virginia 
Elliott, Elma Flores, Julia Gottesman, Betty Jo Gregg, Barbara Lampman, Betty 
Mackie, Elizabeth Rassmusen, Maria Reyes, Marian DeMars, Anne Schryver, 
Chrisine Bachwansky, Colleen McKernan, Sandy Swanson, Hank Landsberg, Ken Anhalt, Shannon 
Vandevelde

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 
not required but you must be over 60.

...................................................................

ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the 
Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 

 YWCA San Gabriel Valley - Intervale Senior Cafe 

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA Intervale daily lunch program held 
at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Meals are served Monday through Friday at 12:00 pm 
and participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 am. Meals are a suggested donation of $3.00 
for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are necessary, space is 
limited. Please reserve your lunch by calling 626-355-0256.

Tech Talk: Held on Monday, January 25th from 1:30-2:30pm. Learn how to use your new 
technology devises. Please reserve your space with the Hart Park House by calling 626-355-7394. 

 

Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10am to 11am. Join 
instructor Barbara Dempsey as she instructs you in the art of hula. 

 

Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00pm. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to 
join. May be canceled if less than 5 people. 

 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11am to 12pm. No appt. is 
necessary. 

 

Brain Games: Thursday, January 21st, 10:30am - 11:30am, improve your memory and strengthen 
your brain. Activities facilitated by Hugo, Community Liaison for New Wave Home care of 
Pasadena. 

 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, January 27th from 10:30am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. Appointment are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Balance Class: No Balance Class due to Martin Luther King Holiday. 

 

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am. A suggested donation of $5 at one 
of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

 

Case Management: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month. Case Management services are 
provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in a variety of areas. Appointments are required 
and can be scheduled by calling the HPH Office at 626-355-7394. 

 

Birthday Celebrations: Every second Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House. The free 
birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

 

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00pm. (Please note the time change.) A regular group of 
seniors play poker. Other games available for use. 

 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45pm to 1:30pm with Lisa Brandley. The 
class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are 
provided. 

 

Senior Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown bag lunch at 11:30am. 
Club meeting at noon. Bingo 12:30-3:30pm. Annual Membership is only $10.00. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com