Vaccines- Not Just for the Kids

If you’re an adult, you may be concerned with making sure your kids are up to date with their vaccines as they head back to school…. but adults need vaccines as well and may not be as protected as they think. 

The protection of some vaccines fades over time so even if you got all of your vaccines as a child, you may still need a booster shot from time to time. Adult can often times be a higher risk for some diseases because of their health, lifestyle or age.  Making sure you are up to date on your vaccines can also reduce the chance of passing on a serious disease to loved ones- especially babies or young children who may be too young for some immunizations. 

Am You Up To Date?

Take this checklist with you to your next doctor visit. Ask which vaccines may be right for you. 

1.Influenza vaccine. The flu virus can cause serious — even deadly — complications. Annual shots are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. They’re especially important for people at high risk of severe illness, such as:

• Anyone younger than 5
• Anyone 65 or older
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or asthma

2. Tdap or Td vaccine. Tdap helps protect against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Td helps protect against tetanus and diphtheria.

3. MMR vaccine. This helps protect against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).

4.Pneumococcal vaccines. These help protect against illnesses such as pneumonia.

5. Hepatitis A and B vaccines. These help protect against serious liver diseases.

6. Hib vaccine. This helps protect against a dangerous bacterial disease called Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

7. HPV vaccines. These help protect against human papillomavirus. Certain types of this virus may cause cervical and other cancers. The vaccines are recommended for preteen girls and boys. But young women and men (up to age 26) may still need them if they didn’t get vaccinated as kids.

8. Meningococcal vaccine. This helps protect against meningitis and blood infections. It’s particularly important for college students who will be living in residence halls and people with certain health conditions.

9. Varicella vaccine. This helps protect against chickenpox. You may need it if you haven’t had chickenpox before or weren’t vaccinated as a child.

10. Shingles (zoster) vaccine. This helps protect against a painful skin rash. It’s generally for adults 60 and older.