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Are Your Immunizations Up to Date? Vaccines and Boosters Every Adult Should Have
Immunizations, vaccines, and boosters are important to children’s health, preparing them for a successful life by sidestepping some common diseases and illnesses with potentially dangerous consequences. Vaccines are no less important for adults.
At Midwest Regional Health Services in Omaha, Nebraska, the expert team focuses on your family’s health, regardless of age. We encourage all our patients to stay up to date with immunizations throughout their lifetimes.
Vaccine safety
Many misconceptions and myths about immunization and vaccines continue to float around despite the facts. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that vaccination is a key way of preventing many infectious diseases.
WHO estimates vaccination saves up to 5 million lives annually. Many types of vaccines have been in place for decades, after stringent testing before their use with the general public.
After that, the performance of vaccines, including negative effects, receives rigorous oversight to ensure safety for everyone receiving immunization. The risks of the diseases prevented far outweigh the side effects of vaccination, which are usually minor and short-lived.
Vaccines and boosters every adult should have
Immunization isn’t just for childhood, though. You remain vulnerable to childhood diseases as an adult if you weren’t vaccinated when you were young.
You also become more vulnerable to some conditions and diseases as you get older. Along with routine vaccines like the flu shot, you need to stay on top of missed immunizations and additional, age-related vaccines.
We’ve collected this list of boosters and vaccines every adult should have. Talk to us about any additional immunizations you may need, particularly if you’re traveling overseas.
The flu shot
Unless you have a medical reason to avoid it, all adults should have a flu shot during flu season, which typically hits over the fall and winter months. The earlier you get your flu vaccine, the more protection you enjoy throughout the season.
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td and Tdap)
Adults over 18 should have a single dose of the Tdap vaccine, followed by a Td booster every 10 years.
Pneumococcal vaccine
Guarding against pneumonia, the pneumococcal vaccine becomes important after age 65 when the risks of the disease become potentially worse.
Some patients may benefit from the vaccine at a younger age if they have certain health conditions, including smoking, heart disease, or autoimmune system disorders.
Hepatitis vaccines
Anyone of any age should receive the hepatitis A vaccine when they live or travel in an area with an outbreak. The hepatitis B vaccine is similar. Ask us about the risk factors that may increase your need for either hepatitis vaccine.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
The HPV vaccine is best administered before having sex, and it may be recommended as early as age 11. If you didn’t receive this immunization as a teen, anytime up to age 26 is still a good time.
Shingles vaccine
Adults 50 and older should have the shingles vaccine to prevent the herpes zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox) from painfully infecting nerve tissue in the body.
These are just a sample of common vaccines available for adults. The COVID-19 vaccine remains important, as do other vaccines you may have missed when you were younger.
Call Midwest Regional Health Services to set up a vaccine update consultation. There’s no reason to suffer from preventable diseases so plan your visit today.
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