I’ll admit, I wasn’t always a fan of vaccines. However, at 65, my perspective has changed. The world we live in today is very different—it’s filled with crowds, inconsistent sanitation practices, and emerging viruses and bacteria arising from evolving conditions.
With COVID-19 largely behind us and my retirement ahead, I’ve been focusing on my health. Five years ago, I made the decision to quit smoking. While I was never a heavy smoker, I knew I loved myself more than the next pack of cigarettes. That commitment to better health set the stage for what came next: prioritizing preventive care.
As I entered the retirement and Medicare phase of life, my apprehension about vaccines began to fade. After receiving three Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, I realized they were essential to protecting my health. And I wasn’t done. At 65, with Medicare’s encouragement, I decided to go further. I got a Tdap vaccine, followed by my seasonal flu shot, and most recently, the Prevnar 20 vaccine. Next week, I’ll complete this effort with the shingles vaccine.
Why am I doing all this? Because I want to live a long and healthy life. These are steps we all should consider to safeguard our health and prevent illnesses that could have serious consequences. Who knows what the future holds or when the next pandemic might arise? The question is: Will you be ready? I’m determined to be.
