Vaccinations are not just for kids!
Vaccines save thousands of lives yearly and make life better by preventing the chronic conditions associated with some viral and bacterial illnesses.
The following are a list of the most common vaccines suggested for adults:
Seasonal Flu Vaccine - This is given yearly and is formulated every year to cover for the expected strain that year. One does not get the Flu from getting a flu vaccine, and if you feel a little achy it is probably a result of a good immune response on your part – a good thing.
Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumovax) - The adult form of this vaccine if formulated to give us immunity against 23 of the most virulent or disease causing types of the Pneumococcal bacteria. This bug is responsible for many deaths due to pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis or blood infections which may attack us after a bout of flu or in a weakened immune state. It is recommended for any adult age 19 and up with asthma or who smokes. Also this vaccine is given for any adult 50 years or older with liver problems, alcoholism, diabetes or cancer and some immune disorders. Finally, when you hit 65 and over one should have this on board. Many of us docs like to revaccinate once after 5 years. Check with your doctor for the timing of this vaccine if you are about to undergo chemotherapy or are on immunosuppressant medication.
It is estimated that 50,000 to 70,000 adults die from the above 2 preventable diseases each year.
Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) - Zoster, or Shingles, is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After having chicken pox, this virus lives in the body for decades near the spinal cord. It seems to wait for times following great stress to attack us later in life. The older you are when you get Shingles, the more it hurts and the longer it lasts. It is estimated that 20% of all adults will get Shingles and most cases are reported in individuals 50 years or older. Zostavax is recommended for adults 60 years and older, but is not given to patients with TB, HIV, those receiving chemotherapy, having cancer of the blood or bone marrow, or allergies to the components of the vaccine. Most complications occur in those people aged 60 years and older, thus the recommendation to start at 60. It is a one time only shot and is very effective at preventing an outbreak of Shingles. In those that get the vaccine and later develop Shingles anyway, their disease course and complications will be much less than if they never received the vaccine.
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough (Adacel) - This is a new version of the old Tetanus Shot. It is very effective and should be given every 10 years for tetanus prophylaxis, but may be given as frequently as a 2 year booster if covering for diphtheria exposures and some dirty wounds.
Meningococcal Vaccine - This vaccine is for a very bad bug with a high killing rate. It is recommended for any young adult going to college or going into the military. It is also suggested for travelers the “Meningitis Belt” or Sub-Saharan Africa. Individuals without a spleen should also get this vaccine. Check with your doc for other indications.
Hepatitis B - This is now standard to all school age kids, and is recommended for adults over the age of 18 who have liver disease or are taking care of an individual with chronic Hepatitis. This vaccine is given as a series of 3 shots over 6 months.
Hepatitis A - This vaccine course is a series of two shots given over 6 months and is suggested for any world travel except it is not needed if traveling to the USA, Western Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada or Japan.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) - This is recommended as a one time shot for anyone born after 1957 without evidence of vaccination or prior infection. This vaccine may also be given for International travel, college bound adults or health care workers.
Polio Vaccine (IPV) - The last cases of polio in the USA were reported in 1978 and 1979 in an unvaccinated religious community. 85 % of reported cases currently are found in parts of Africa, especially Nigeria and Namibia, and from India. This vaccine is not needed for adults living in the USA but may be given to world travelers. There are a few rare indications for this vaccine your doc will know about such as lab workers and adults with children who are given the older OPV vaccine.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) - Gardasil - Current recommendations are for women aged 9 to 26 years old. Recently, the FDA approved its use in boys and men 9 years to 26. The intent of this vaccine is to prevent cervical cancer in women. It is effective against various strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is also implicated in other human malignancies such as head and neck and lower GI malignancies,. Therefor, we may see a broader indication for this vaccine in the future. It is a series of 3 shots given at 0, 2 and 6 months.