Vaccines for grown-ups
Vaccines aren’t just for kids. They help grown-ups stay healthy too. And they can even help protect your family, your coworkers, and your entire community from serious diseases. But even though vaccines are so important — and so effective — 65% of adults aren’t fully up to date on their recommended shots. August is National Immunization Awareness month, so as you’re getting the kids and grandkids ready for the new school year, it’s the perfect time to get back on schedule yourself.
That’s especially important now, when the focus has been on the COVID-19 vaccine — and adults have put off regular checkups with their primary care provider because of the pandemic. But those shots are an essential part of staying healthy. While it’s too soon to say exactly what vaccine recommendations will come out for COVID- 19 this fall. We do know that catching up on all your other important vaccines now will offer you the recommended protection from those contagious illnesses right now.
Case in point: shingles, an illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox. If you had chickenpox as a child — like most people who grew up before the chickenpox vaccine debuted in 1995 — this virus is still dormant in your body. And for 1 in 3 people, it can reappear years later in the form of shingles, which has been described as a pain comparable to childbirth. Yikes.
So, it’s no surprise that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the shingles vaccine, called Shingrix, for all adults age 50 and older. It’s more than 90% effective at preventing the disease.
“I talk to all of my older patients about the shingles vaccine,” says Sterling Ransone, M.D., a family doctor in Deltaville, Virginia, and a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “After all, shingles can be a debilitating condition — for some people, it causes chronic pain that can last for decades.”
Do you have an annual exam coming up? Talk to your health care provider about making sure you’re up to date on all these essential vaccines.
Essential Vaccine #1: Flu
You know the symptoms — feverish chills, a sore throat, and aches and pains that leave you flat on your back. Most people get over it, but the flu is highly contagious and can be deadly for certain groups of people. So add this shot to the top of your vaccination list.
“Everybody 6 months and older should get vaccinated against seasonal flu, especially now, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic,” says Ann Marie Pettis, R.N., director of infection prevention at the University of Rochester Medicine-Highland Hospital and president-elect of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. “Often, coronavirus symptoms are almost identical to early flu symptoms, so it’s important to rule out flu whenever possible.”
Who needs it: Everyone, but especially adults age 65 and older, or anyone with a chronic lung condition, heart disease, or diabetes. If you’re an older adult, your doctor may want you to have a high-dose vaccine.
When to get it: Because the vaccine takes a few weeks to become effective, get it as soon as it’s available in your area. The best time is usually September or October. But if you miss it in the fall, don’t worry. Just make sure you get it later in the season.
Flu shots are easy to get and at no cost to you. Just go to one of the many participating pharmacies in your neighborhood.
Essential Vaccine #2: Tdap or Td Booster
This vaccine protects against three potentially deadly diseases:
- Tetanus, which causes painful muscle stiffness and can lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Diphtheria, which may lead to heart failure or paralysis
- Pertussis (whooping cough), which causes violent, uncontrollable coughing that can make breathing a struggle
Diphtheria and pertussis can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing; tetanus is transmitted through breaks in the skin.
Who needs it: Everyone.
When to get it: If you’ve never had a Tdap shot, get one as soon as possible. If you’ve previously had one, get a Td booster every 10 years. And if you get a severe cut or burn but can’t remember the last time you received either vaccination, check in with your doctor right away. More incentive: If you’re parent or grandparent to a newborn, you’ll also want to get this booster ASAP. Whooping cough can be especially dangerous for infants.
Essential Vaccine #3: Chickenpox and Shingles
Both of these conditions are caused by the same virus: the varicella-zoster (VZV). After having chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your body and can flare up as shingles years later.
Who needs it: If you had chickenpox (varicella) as a kid, you probably remember it as an itchy, squirmy, miserable week of your life. If you didn’t have it, you’ll need a chickenpox vaccine now. And if you’re 50 or older, experts recommend two doses of Shingrix, which provides long-lasting protection. If you’ve had a different version of the shingles shot, your doctor may recommend that you get revaccinated.
When to get it: Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about when to schedule this vaccine. However, for the Shingles vaccine, getting this vaccine from a participating pharmacy, may result in a lower out of pocket cost for you.
Essential Vaccine #4: Pneumonia
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against dangerous infections of the bloodstream and lungs, including pneumonia. Pneumococcal disease is common in kids — but it can be extremely dangerous in older adults.
Who needs it: All adults age 65 and older and some younger people with certain health conditions.
When to get it: You’ve most likely already been vaccinated, but it’s important to check with your provider to be sure. There are two different pneumococcal vaccines available: PCV13 (Prevnar 13) and PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23). Many adults 65 and older get a dose of each, spaced at least a year apart. But depending on your age and health history, your doctor may recommend a different vaccination schedule.
Checkout the following resources for vaccine guidelines:
Catching up on all your other important vaccines now
will offer you the recommended protection...