Here's Why It's Important for Adults to Be Immunized

This article was previous written for Slant News, however; they have since closed down. This article was indeed written by Annie Haun (Annie Wright pen name). I will be updating the information and revising to publish again as it had previously been removed offline when Slant News closed their doors.

The immunization that an adult will need is determined by age, lifestyle, whether you are traveling to other countries which are determined by location/type or if you are considered to be high risk because of medical conditions you've had previously or those that are now present. Not all adults received all the vaccines they needed when they were children. Since new vaccines weren't available when some adults were younger they still can need them even though they are an adult. The flu and pneumococcus as we become older we are more likely to be prone to infections which are more serious that causes diseases because our immune system can weaken by age and medical conditions.Some vaccines can wear off through the years as we age.

"Every year thousands of adults in the U.S. become seriously ill and are hospitalized because of diseases that vaccines can help prevent. Many adults even die from these diseases. By getting vaccinated, you can help protect yourself from much of this unnecessary suffering.

Even if you received the vaccines you needed as a child, the protection from some vaccines can wear off. You may also be at risk for other diseases due to your job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)".

• Cervical Cancer - HPV vaccine helps to lower your risk
• Liver Cancer - Hepatitis B vaccine helps to reduce your chance of contacting the cancer
• Flu Vaccine - Existing conditions such as diabetes or chronic lung disease from flu complications can be reduced and reduce your chances from a heart attack related to the flu

Age 19 to 26 years old:

1. TD or TDAO ( tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
2. Seasonal flu vaccine
3. HPV vaccine - recommended for women up to 26 years old, men up to 21 years old, and men age 22 - 26 who have sex with other males

Adults age 50 years or older:

"Almost 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. Your risk of shingles increases as you grow older. Additionally, over 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in people 65 years and older, according to the CDC".

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in addition to seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), you should also get:

• The shingles vaccine, which protects against shingles and the complications from the disease (recommended for healthy adults 50 years and older)
• Pneumococcal vaccines, which protect against pneumococcal disease, including infections in the lungs and bloodstream (recommended for all adults over 65 years old, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain chronic health conditions) according to the CDC".

"All adults need seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) but there may be additional vaccines recommended for you. Learn more about which vaccines you may need if you have any of these conditions:

• Asplenia
• Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2
• Heart Disease, Stroke, or Other Cardiovascular Disease
• HIV Infection
• Liver Disease
• Lung Disease including Asthma
• Renal Disease
• Weakened Immune System

Talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional to find out which vaccines are recommended for you based on your specific health status, age, and lifestyle, according to the CDC".

All information in this article is not meant to give medical advice but it is meant to give information that you can discuss with your doctor. Many factors determine what vaccines you may need such as age, health condition, and some colleges require certain vaccines if you live in a dorm with other students. Even certain types of jobs may require certain vaccines such as nursing jobs. The information in this article is a helpful guide to give you the information for you to talk with your doctor as the doctor will know what vaccines are best for you depending on your medical condition. There are links in this article where you can locate more information.