AgeSmart Blog
Judy's Open House
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
by Marjorie Moore | July 27, 2026
I’ve been lucky to have several mentors over my life and career, and Judy was one of them. I met her when I was a volunteer coordinator and she had been a volunteer coordinator at a much bigger organization. We met in a group of volunteer coordinators, and I was on a committee she ran. Judy was older than me by a good amount and probably in her late 60s by the time I met her. She was always so full of life, a force for good. Full of ideas and energy to execute them. Every year, in the days leading to Christmas she’d open her impeccably decorated home to everyone she ever met for a festive open house where she made everyone feel perfectly comfortable.
One month, I came to our meeting, saw Judy, and went to give her a hug, just like usual. But she recoiled. Shingles, she said. At that time, I’d never heard of it. A remnant of the chicken pox virus I learned. Something that seemed innocuous as a kid. A week off school in elementary school… even if it made my best friend miss the field trip to the circus museum. But once it came back, usually after 60, it came back with a vengeance.
I didn’t see Judy for months after that as she recovered. Shingles took her out of work, missing her annual volunteer appreciation she loved so much. She missed family gatherings, and yes, the Christmas Open House was cancelled that year.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and it’s time for all of us to make that call or have that chat with our doctors to see what vaccines make sense for us before “sick season” hits.
The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends all adults over 65 receive influenza and COVID-19 vaccines annually. There are also several that you may need just once as you get older like shingles, pneumonia, and RSV. It’s important to talk to your doctor, consider your medical conditions, lifestyle, and medications to get the immunizations that are right for you at the right time. Check out IDPH’s vaccine schedule to get yourself ready to talk to your doctor.
We know that knowing you need a vaccine and actually getting one are two different things. If transportation is a barrier, AgeSmart and our partners can help connect you with a ride. And if you're not sure what's covered under your Medicare plan or where to start, our Information and Assistance specialists are just a phone call away at 618-222-2561. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to begin — that's exactly what we're here for.
Judy retired shortly after recovering from her bout with shingles and we ended up losing touch. I think of her every year around the holidays and every year when I make my appointment to get my vaccines.
Judy kept her door open every December for everyone she ever met. One thing is certain for me; I want to do everything I can to keep mine open too.
One month, I came to our meeting, saw Judy, and went to give her a hug, just like usual. But she recoiled. Shingles, she said. At that time, I’d never heard of it. A remnant of the chicken pox virus I learned. Something that seemed innocuous as a kid. A week off school in elementary school… even if it made my best friend miss the field trip to the circus museum. But once it came back, usually after 60, it came back with a vengeance.
I didn’t see Judy for months after that as she recovered. Shingles took her out of work, missing her annual volunteer appreciation she loved so much. She missed family gatherings, and yes, the Christmas Open House was cancelled that year.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and it’s time for all of us to make that call or have that chat with our doctors to see what vaccines make sense for us before “sick season” hits.
The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends all adults over 65 receive influenza and COVID-19 vaccines annually. There are also several that you may need just once as you get older like shingles, pneumonia, and RSV. It’s important to talk to your doctor, consider your medical conditions, lifestyle, and medications to get the immunizations that are right for you at the right time. Check out IDPH’s vaccine schedule to get yourself ready to talk to your doctor.
We know that knowing you need a vaccine and actually getting one are two different things. If transportation is a barrier, AgeSmart and our partners can help connect you with a ride. And if you're not sure what's covered under your Medicare plan or where to start, our Information and Assistance specialists are just a phone call away at 618-222-2561. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to begin — that's exactly what we're here for.
Judy retired shortly after recovering from her bout with shingles and we ended up losing touch. I think of her every year around the holidays and every year when I make my appointment to get my vaccines.
Judy kept her door open every December for everyone she ever met. One thing is certain for me; I want to do everything I can to keep mine open too.