Most of us tend to think of immunizations as kind of a kid thing. Most of us were pretty good at getting our kids in for their “baby shots”. I did have some friends who were pretty adamant at NOT getting their children immunized due to concerns about side effects, but most of us figured the benefits outweighed the risks. And we were right. Pediatric immunization programs have been very successful in reducing and even eliminating many childhood diseases, saving countless lives with very little risk. But despite the fact that there are many vaccine preventable adult diseases, rates of adult immunizations are low. Why is this, when immunizations so clearly are effective in reducing the occurance and severity of many serious and nasty adult diseases? Experts believe that a lack of a cohesive national program promoting adult immunization strongly contributes to a lack of information among both patients and care providers. When you go see your doctor, does he/she talk to you about immunizations? Do you bring up the subject? Most likely not. So here is a primer on immunizations you should consider getting and when. These are recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & prevention (CDC). Next time you go to the doctor, ask.
Tetanus, Diptheria. Pertussis (Td/Tdap) All adults age 19-64 should get a Tdap once and all adults should get Td booster every ten years. Pertussis, which is known as Whopping Cough caused a great deal of illness in death in children and infants in the 1940s. For years it was nearly wiped out due to immunizations but has recently reemerged. Adults have largely lost their immunity to the disease. Getting the Tdap booster will prevent you from getting the disease and passing it on to any children you may come in contact with. ( think grandchildren). Obviously, parents, teachers and health care providers are also important adult groups to immunize.
Varicella- (chicken pox). 2 doses recommended unless you have evidnece of immunity.
Zoster- (shingles). One dose is recommended at age 60 or above. Shingles can be very debilitating and the pain can last for months and months. Vaccines don’t always completely prevent infection but can greatly reduce symptoms and time for recovery. The disease seems to get worse as we get older so it makes good sense to get this vaccine.
Pneumococcal- (Pneumonia). One or two doses for people with medical conditions putting them at high risk and one dose if you are over 65. Most people who die from the flu actually die of pneumonia so this vaccine is often given along with the annual flu vaccine.
Influenza- Get the flu vaccine yearly. Flu shots are safe for most people and even if you do get the flu your symptoms will be milder.
Other vaccines that may be appropriate for you to get include Measles- Mumps- Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis A and or B and Meningococcal. Check with your doctor to see if you are in a high risk group for these disesases and should be immunized.
I wish you health.
April 7th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Wow, thanks for sharing your perspective. I think I need to reconsider my position in light of your helpful comments.
April 10th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Thanks for your comment. Here is some more information to consider from the CDC about ramifications of low rates of adult immunizations:
“Each year, vaccine-preventable illnesses take the lives of an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 adults and result in $10 billion in preventable healthcare costs. Thousands of people suffer from illnesses that could have been prevented through recommended immunizations. In the case of pneumonia, more than 30% of seniors nationwide are not immunized against this dangerous illness, despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that everyone over the age of 65 get the vaccine. The finding comes from a recent report from IDSA and Trust for America’s Health, which also found adult vaccination rates for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis to be alarmingly low. Equally alarming is the finding that in 2008 just 36 percent of all adults were vaccinated against influenza.”