Adults Need Immunizations, Too!

Aren’t vaccines dangerous?

The health scare about vaccines isn’t founded in sound medical research. The doctor who reported immunizations cause Autism was not only discredited but his medical license was revoked. Other accusations of immunizations causing conditions or diseases like Gulf War Syndrome, Alzheimer’s Disease, and/or Parkinson’s Disease have no reliable data to support them. Overwhelming evidence consistently demonstrates benefits of being immunized far outweigh the risks

Adults: You Need Your Shots, Too

If you think immunizations are just for babies and children, you couldn’t be more wrong. Immunizations, innoculations, or vaccinations (interchangeable terms) wear off after time. Your immune system has limited memory and needs reminders (booster shots) after a period of time to properly fend off diseases like diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and influenza (the flu). If you don’t get vaccinated, the chances you will become infected (and infectious) increase alarmingly.

What vaccinations do adults need (and when)?

After age 19, the flu vaccine and the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) immunizations are necessary for everyone. The flu shot is needed yearly, while you only need the Tdap booster once a decade (and with every pregnancy). Other vaccines, such as the pneumonia, human papilloma virus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B immunizations, are highly recommended according to the CDC, and those like Japanese Encephalitis, Polio, and Rabies vaccines are necessary only in certain situations..

Are vaccines safe for everyone?

The answer to this question is “No”. If any of the following apply, use caution before any vaccination:

• History of severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or vaccine components

• Impaired immune system (cancer, post transplant, HIV positive status)

• Nursing mothers, anyone planning to become pregnant in the next 6 weeks, and pregnant women (for the last group, the Tdap vaccine is the exception)

Additionally, each individual immunization has its own caveats (as with any medical condition). In conclusion, the benefits of being up to date on your immunizations far outweigh any potential side effects.