Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What vaccinations should a 65-year-old patient receive during an annual wellness visit after a Td booster 9 years ago?

1. Influenza vaccine

2. Tetanus and influenza vaccine

3. Pneumococcal (Pneumovax) and influenza vaccines

4. No vaccinations needed at this visit

The correct answer is: Pneumococcal (Pneumovax) and influenza vaccines

A 65-year-old patient should receive both the pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax) and the influenza vaccine during an annual wellness visit, particularly after having had a Td booster nine years ago. The pneumococcal vaccine is important for older adults, as they are at increased risk for pneumococcal diseases due to age and possibly other comorbidities. The recommendation is that individuals aged 65 and older receive at least one dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). In addition, annual influenza vaccination is crucial for older adults to prevent influenza, which can lead to severe complications. The immune response to the influenza virus diminishes with age, making vaccination even more important to maintain immunity and reduce the risk of hospitalizations and serious illness. Although the Td booster is also necessary for maintaining protection against tetanus and diphtheria, the focus during this visit would be on the pneumococcal and influenza vaccines due to the patient's age group, thereby addressing the most pertinent vaccination needs.