How does our immune system change as we age, and what role can vaccines play in supporting healthy longevity? In this informative episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch welcomes physician, healthcare executive, and medical writer Dr. Michael Myers for a thoughtful, evidence-based discussion about immunosenescence—the age-related decline of immune function—and its implications for healthy aging. Together they explore how vaccines work, why vaccine recommendations evolve throughout life, and the importance of understanding both the science and the uncertainties surrounding public health recommendations. Listeners will gain practical insights into immune health, healthspan optimization, brain health and aging, and informed healthcare decision-making.
Dr. Michael Myers is a physician, healthcare executive, medical writer, and educator with more than 35 years of experience in clinical medicine, healthcare leadership, and public health. He trained at Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School before pursuing a career in primary care medicine and physician leadership.He most recently served as Chief of Primary Care and Chief of Pediatrics for one of New Jersey's largest medical group practices. His work focuses on preventive medicine, vaccine education, public health communication, and helping patients understand complex medical science. He is the author of The Vaccine Bible: A Comprehensive, Commonsense Guide to What Keeps Us Safe from the Flu, Hepatitis Measles and More. In the Guide he explains how vaccines are developed, how they work, their safety, effectiveness, and the diseases they help prevent.
Episode Timeline
00:00 – Welcome and why vaccines matter to healthy longevity
04:15 – Dr. Michael Myers' medical career and what inspired The Vaccine Bible
09:45 – Understanding the immune system: innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and immune memory
17:45 – Immunosenescence: how the immune system changes with age
23:30 – Individualizing vaccine recommendations throughout adulthood
30:25 – Vaccines most relevant for older adults, including influenza, pneumococcal disease, RSV, COVID-19, and shingles
32:30 – Emerging research linking shingles vaccination with reduced dementia risk
34:00 – COVID-19, children, public health messaging, and lessons learned from the pandemic
42:55 – Vaccine confidence, public trust, and addressing misinformation
52:20 – Autism research, vaccine myths, and current scientific understanding
55:35 – Dr. Myers' key message on vaccines, prevention, and healthy aging
Connect with Dr. Michael Myers
The Vaccine Bible—Amazon
The Vaccine Bible—Bookshop.org
The Vaccine Bible—Audiobook
Dr. Myers' Website
Connect with your host, Dr, Gillian Lockitch
email: askdrgill@gmail.com For a personalized one on one conversation about health aging strategies
Website: www.askdrgill.com
https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/
