COVID-19 Risks and Information for Older Adults
Older unvaccinated adults are more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19

OLDER ADULTS:
What You Need to Know
- Older adults are more likely to get very sick or die from COVID-19. Those who are unvaccinated or have a disability, weakened immune system, or certain medical conditions are also at greater risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
- There are tools to protect you from getting very sick from COVID-19:
- Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines are effective at protecting people from severe illness and death from COVID-19.
- Older adults, especially those with other medical conditions, wear the most protective mask that fits well and that you will wear consistently to protect against COVID-19.
- Get treatment early if you have COVID-19. Effective treatments are now widely available for people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, including older adults.
Increased Risk of Severe Illness from COVID-19
Older adults (especially those aged 50 years and older) are more likely than younger people to get very sick from COVID-19. The risk increases with age. This means they are more likely to need hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they could die. Most COVID-19 deaths occur in people older than 65.
Other factors can also make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. These include not getting vaccinated, or having underlying medical conditions— like chronic lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system. Often, the more health conditions you have, the higher your risk of becoming very sick if you get COVID-19.
- People with Certain Medical Conditions
- Factors That Affect Your Risk of Getting Very Sick from COVID-19
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
- COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator
- Eldercare Locator or call 1-800-677-1116. A nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources from the U.S. Administration on Aging.