Immunization Awareness

Articles

Aug 1

National Immunization Awareness Month takes place this August to bring awareness to the importance of vaccinations for people of all ages. By continuing to learn accurate and up-to-date information, you give yourself the knowledge to make the best decisions about how to get vaccines for yourself and your families.

Immunization Recommendations

There are many types of vaccines that are recommended by healthcare professionals throughout the year. Vaccines may be required for schooling, jobs, travel, and other day-to-day activities. By keeping up to date with your health care provider, you and your family can stay ahead of the cold and flu seasons. The CDC recommends that all adults receive the seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine. This immunization is even more necessary for those who are immunocompromised or who have chronic health conditions, those who are pregnant, and elderly folks. The CDC also strongly suggests that adults, like children, receive Diphtheria (which occurs in the throat, nose, tonsils, or skin and passes from person to person), Tetanus (virus found in soil, dust, and manure and can enter through open skin) and Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines. Babies younger than seven should receive this vaccine as some of these viruses can be fatal for children. The combination of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis is also commonly referred to as Tdap vaccines. Tdap vaccines typically are received every 10 years.

Adult Vaccination Schedule

Every vaccine has an amount of time that it is effective, some for many years, some for only a year or so. Knowing the vaccine schedules for you and your loved ones can help make it easier to stay up to date on them all.

HPV (human papillomaviruses): given to preteens often around age 11 or 12, should be fully received by age 26 and prevents cervical, anal, and other types of cancers.
Shingles vaccine: suggested to healthy adults over the age of 50.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15 or PCV20): prevents all strains of pneumonia and is suggested for those over 65 years of age.
Hepatitis B: recommended for ages 19 through 59 and for those 60 or older with a risk of getting hepatitis B. Hepatitis shots come in 3 doses and are only done once in each person’s life.
Flu shots should be taken by most ages annually.
Measles and mumps immunizations are given between ages 16-26 and are usually a dose or two total.

Talk with your healthcare provider for more details about when and where to get these vaccinations near you.

Pregnancy and Vaccinations

Vaccines that are comprised of inactive viruses are often safe for pregnancy. It is recommended that you stay up to date with these shots while pregnant because it’s important to stay healthy while with a child. Healthcare professionals do not recommend live virus immunizations for pregnant people. Important vaccines to receive while pregnant are:

Covid-19 vaccine: research has shown positive results for those pregnant receiving both doses of the Covid vaccine and the booster. It’s also recommended that those around you receive their shots.
Influenza vaccines: flu shots have proven effective for both the parent and child because it is made from a nonactive virus. It’s important to stay up to date with these throughout the pregnancy.
Tdap vaccines: One dose of the Tdap vaccine is suggested during the pregnancy, even if you aren’t due for one yet. The Tdap immunization prevents the baby from getting pertussis, which can be fatal for newborns. Between 27 and 36 weeks is the ideal time for receiving this vaccine.

Your healthcare provider should have more information about whether a virus is active or inactive if you have further questions.

Vaccines for Travel

Different types of viruses exist all over, as you plan to travel it’s important to consider the different diseases that exist in each place and protect yourself against them. Certain vaccines are even required to travel, to ensure that you and the people you’re traveling amongst can be safe in returning to your homes. Everyone being vaccinated protects your family and community at large. What vaccines you should get depends on a couple of things:

Health: make sure to consider your current health and any areas where you’re concerned should be talked about with your healthcare provider. For those with preexisting health conditions, or who are currently immunocompromised, you may want to consider additional vaccines.
Past Vaccinations: depending on which vaccines you are up to date on you may not have to get others. Some places will require vaccines based on the more active diseases in each place.
Where you’re traveling: Some countries require proof of vaccine for certain region-specific diseases that can be found there. It’s worth it to do the research on what viruses may be present where you are traveling so you can protect yourself against them. Checking travel notices for where you plan to travel can also give you an idea of where it is you’re going and what you should get vaccinated against.

Vaccines for Older Adults

Many vaccines are recommended for adults over 50. Keeping up to date after reaching a certain age becomes very important because your immune system has the potential to weaken over time. Here’s a list of vaccines to make sure to keep up to date with those over the age of 50:

Covid-19: Covid is known to affect older adults negatively with long-lasting side effects as well as death. It’s pertinent for older adults to make sure they receive both shots of the vaccine as well as any boosters. Booster shots for Covid-19 are often given first to elderly folks so make sure to see when new boosters are available in your area.
Flu vaccine: influenza shots are great for people of every age and more important for those who are older. This is a yearly shot that should be received on time each year.
Tdap vaccines: Pneumonia, whooping cough and diphtheria can all be very challenging for the immune system of older adults. Keeping up to date on the Tdap vaccines makes sure you defend yourself against these diseases.
Shingles: Shingles are created by the chickenpox virus so, for those who had chickenpox in the past, it’s important to get the shingles virus at an older age.

Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool

The CDC has an Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool where you answer a series of questions and based on your responses your results will show which vaccines you’re recommended to get and descriptions of the ailments. If you have further questions speak with your healthcare provider about your results.