Adult Vaccination
Vaccination is one of the most practical and cost-effective measures to protect ourselves from potentially fatal diseases. Vaccination is not only meant for kids. There are specific ages in your adult life when the need for immunization arises.
All over the world, millions of adults fall seriously ill and get hospitalized for diseases that vaccines could easily prevent. The need for vaccinations does not go away with age. Regular vaccines for adults help boost the efficacy of childhood vaccines, aid immunity for newer comorbidities and protect against diseases when immunity is suppressed.
Why should I get vaccinated?
Many infectious diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, were once shared – and often life-threatening. But the development of vaccines has helped eliminate many of these diseases.
Vaccines help your body build immunity to these diseases and help prevent their spread to your family and others. Vaccines also help you avoid problems caused by getting sick, such as:
- Missing work
- Paying more for medical care
- Being unable to care for yourself and your family
- Becoming severely ill or dying
You can and should get some vaccines every year, such as the flu shot. You might need other vaccines at various ages or in certain situations, such as for health care work or international travel.
What factors might affect my vaccine recommendations?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccines for adults based on age, prior vaccinations, health, lifestyle, occupation, travel destinations, and sexual activity.
How can I check my vaccination status?
Talk to your parents or other caregivers to gather information about your vaccination status. Check with your healthcare provider’s office. You may check with previous healthcare organizations where you received care if necessary. Or check with your schools or employers who require vaccinations. You could also contact your state health department to see if it has a registry that includes adult immunizations.
If you can’t find your records, your healthcare provider can do blood tests to see if you are immune to certain diseases that vaccines can prevent. You should get some vaccines again.
What vaccines do adults need?
- COVID-19. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine might prevent you from getting COVID-19, becoming seriously ill, or dying due to COVID-19.
- Flu (influenza). The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone ages 6 months or older to prevent the flu. Adults aged 50 and older should not get the nasal spray flu vaccine. The flu can cause severe complications in older adults.
- Hepatitis B. The CDC recommends all adults ages 19 to 59 receive the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine also is recommended for adults 60 and older who have risk factors for hepatitis B. It is not specifically recommended for those aged 60 and older without known risk factors. But if you are in that group, you may receive the hepatitis B vaccine if you want it. Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV). The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for girls and boys ages 11 or 12. Teens and young adults who begin the vaccine series later, at ages 15 to 26, should receive three doses. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 for males and females ages 9 to 45. HPV is a common virus that can lead to cancer.
- Pneumococcal vaccine. The CDC recommends the pneumococcal vaccines — there are two — for adults age 65 and older. Younger adults at increased risk of pneumococcal disease also might need a dose of the vaccine. Pneumococcal disease causes infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.
- Shingles. The CDC recommends the vaccine Shingrix for healthy adults aged 50 and older to prevent shingles. It’s given in two doses. While not life-threatening, shingles can be excruciating.
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap). One dose of Tdap is routinely given at age 11 or 12. If you’ve never had a Tdap vaccine, the CDC recommends getting it as soon as possible. One dose of the Tdap vaccine is also recommended during each pregnancy, ideally between weeks 27 and 36. Tdap can protect you from lockjaw (tetanus), whooping cough (pertussis), and diphtheria, leading to breathing problems. A booster is recommended every 10 years.
Adults need immunizations to protect their health and prevent the spread of serious diseases. It also prevent exacerbation of respiratory disorders.
Even if you received vaccinations as a child, immunity can wear off by adulthood.
Need to consult doctors or specialists for Adult Vaccinations. In Manipal Hospital Whitefield Bangalore?
Dr. Sheetal Chaurasia is the senior Consultant – Pulmonary Medicine at Manipal Hospital Whitefield Bangalore. With experience spanning over 2 decades in the medical field, she is recognized as one of the most reputed Consultant pulmonologists in Manipal Hospital Whitefield Bangalore.
We offer all vaccines to help you and your family stay healthy.
To help you keep track of your vaccines:
- Ask your healthcare provider for an immunization record form.
- Bring the form with you to all of your healthcare visits.
- Ask your provider to sign and date the form for each vaccine you receive.
