According to a USA Today/Suffolk poll, two-thirds of Americans say they won’t get the coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available, and one in four say they don’t ever intend to get it. But a new PSA from the Alliance for Aging Research’s “Our Best Shot” campaign tells us that not only should every American get the coronavirus vaccine, but staying up-to-date on other critical vaccines is imperative.

As a country, we’ve battled COVID-19 for the majority of 2020, and since spreading to the United States from China, we continue to learn more about it everyday. As pointed out by the Alliance for Aging Research, we know that older populations are among the most vulnerable, suffering severe and sometimes fatal symptoms at a higher rate than younger Americans.

Pneumonia is a common effect of COVID-19. According to WebMD, about 15 percent of COVID-19 cases have been considered “severe” and caused acute respiratory distress. That’s why the Alliance strongly urges all elder citizens to get the pneumonia vaccine.

In recent months, experts, including the Alliance, have urged Americans to get a flu vaccine. Some worry that in the coming months we will experience a “twindemic”, referring to healthcare systems battling both the flu and COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, since 2010, between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths have occurred annually from the flu.

The flu and pneumonia vaccines are widely available through primary doctors offices, pharmacies, urgent cares, and more. To find out where you can get vaccinated near you, click here.

You can watch the full “Our Best Shot” PSA from the Alliance for Aging Research below and learn more information here.