Vaccines aren’t just for children and teenagers. Some vaccines continue to be administered during adulthood to prevent infectious diseases.
For example, if you enjoy traveling to exotic destinations, you may need vaccines to prevent illnesses such as yellow fever and rabies.
Immunization recommendations vary depending on your age, sex, occupation, and health status. The flu vaccine may prevent flu complications in many patients suffering from conditions that affect the immune system. However, people of all ages are recommended to get vaccinated for the seasonal flu.
To help you prevent disease, we asked our expert, Dr. Gail Zimmerman, about what vaccines you should look into depending on your age and health status.
Recommended vaccines for young adults
The seasonal influenza vaccine is a must every year, as it can protect you from flu complications. Even a mild form of the flu can lead to missed days from school or work. According to a report on the 2018-2019 flu season, 74% of Americans missed work due to flu symptoms.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for sexually active women. Research shows an association between HPV and cancer, and the virus can be passed from one partner to another. Someone who doesn’t exhibit any symptoms of HPV may act as a carrier for a decade after they caught the virus from a previous partner.
You may also be recommended to get whooping cough and tetanus vaccine booster shots every ten years during adulthood. Also, some states require the meningitis vaccine for first-year college students.
Recommended vaccines for seniors
Seniors are more likely to develop flu-related complications due to a weaker immune system. In addition to getting the yearly flu shot, you may also want to get boosters for tetanus, shingles, and pertussis.
The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against meningitis and bloodstream infections, which pose a significant danger to the elderly.
Ask us what vaccines you need to prevent disease
Vaccines are tightly controlled and tested for safety and efficiency by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).
With the help of vaccines, two major viral diseases, smallpox and rinderpest, have been eradicated. Other dangerous viral diseases such as polio are also successfully prevented with the vaccines’ help, saving millions of lives.
Contact us to schedule an appointment to find out what vaccines you need to stay healthy for longer. Dr. Zimmerman will look at your medical history and determine what immunizations may benefit you.