Four Essential Vaccinations for Grown-ups and Why You Need Them
by Madeleine Kolb
The Healthiness Project: Part 4
We often think of vaccinations as being for children, but grown-ups need them too. Do you know which ones you need? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has an excellent on-line tool to answer this question, based on your age, any chronic health conditions you have, and other factors.
When I took the quiz, these four essential vaccinations were listed.
| Vaccine | Suggested because… |
| Seasonal Flu (Influenza) | Influenza vaccine is recommended for all adolescents and adults. The vaccine may be given as soon as it is available and throughout the influenza season. (Note: Adults older than 49 years of age, pregnant women, and anyone with chronic medical conditions should not receive the influenza nasal spray vaccine.) |
| Pneumococcal | You indicated that you are at risk for pneumococcal disease. You have a chronic medical condition or weakened immune system. |
| Tdap – Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis | You need one booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine if it has been 10 years or more since your last tetanus and diphtheria booster. Tdap may be given at an interval as short as 2 years since the last Td dose if protection against pertussis is needed. Close contacts of infants less than 12 months of age and healthcare workers having direct patient contact should receive a one time Tdap booster which may be given at an interval as short as 2 years since their last dose of Td. Later booster doses should be given using tetanus and diphtheria vaccine (Td). |
| Zoster (Shingles) | Your age indicates that you need a single dose of this vaccine to protect against shingles. You should receive this vaccine even if you have already had shingles. |
Why are these vaccinations essential?
Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for all adolescents and adults because the flu can be deadly. The flu virus mutates so rapidly that every year a new vaccine must be produced.
Pneumococcal vaccine protects against bacterial infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the blood (bacteremia), and the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Man in hospital with pneumonia
A single dose is recommended for everyone age 65 or older and for younger people with a chronic illness or other risk factors.
According to the CDC, pneumococcal disease causes more than 6,000 deaths per year in the U.S., and more than half are adults who should have been vaccinated.
Shingles vaccine prevents a very painful reactivation of chicken-pox viruses, lurking beneath the skin. Everyone over 60 should get the virus, although in my experience, getting it was not easy.
Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) vaccine
Dog bites on child's head
Diphtheria (whooping cough) is an infection of the upper respiratory tract. It’s now rare in the U.S. and Europe but hightly contagious and potentially fatal. Those at highest risk of death are children under 5 and adults over 49.
Tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw) is caused by toxin-producing spores of a bacterium called Clostridium tetani (a relative of Clostridium botulinum which causes food poisoning from damaged or inadequately-processed canned goods. And from which botox is produced.)
The C. tetani spores occur in soil and in the intestines of animals and humans. People can be infected with tetanus by puncture wounds, animal bites, abrasions, surgery, or burns. The disease causes painful tightening of the muscles and can cause “locking” of the jaw, so that the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow.
Between 40-60 cases of tetanus are reported every year in the U.S. , and 30% of those infected die. It’s recommended that you get a booster shot every 10 years of so.
How I got tetanus from a cat: A true story
Years ago, my cat suddenly started to choke on a bone. My then-boyfriend grabbed the cat and held it while I stuck my finger into its mouth to try to dislodge the bone.
The cat was in a panic and sank a tooth deep into my finger. The next day, the finger was red and hot and incredibly tender. I immediately called my doctor and went in for a tetanus shot.
Both the cat and I survived, but next time I’d have someone else stick his finger into the animal’s mouth. Or else I’d try the Heimlich maneuver.
Keeping track of your vaccinations
Once I knew what vaccinations to get, I used this table to keep track of what I’d had, when, where, and whether (and when) I would need a booster shot.
|
Name of Vaccine |
Date Received |
Place [1] |
Next Vaccine Due |
|
Seasonal flu |
12/14/2010
|
My primary care physician’s office |
When next fall/ winter seasonal vaccine is available |
|
Shingles |
01/04/2011 |
Rite-Aid Pharmacy (which provided the vaccine and gave the shot on-site) |
Only one shot—no more needed |
|
Tetanus & diptheria |
06/28/2011 |
My primary care physician’s office |
In 10 years, about mid-2021 |
|
Seasonal flu |
11/29/2011 |
Rite-Aid Pharmacy
|
When fall/ winter seasonal vaccine is available |
|
Pneumococcal |
12/30/2011 |
My primary care physician’s office |
Only one shot—no more should be needed |
[1] In my own records, I included my doctor’s office address and phone number. I also included the address and phone number of the local Rite-Aid Pharmacy.
Staying current with vaccinations
Once you’ve had your essential vaccinations, it gets easier. For me—and probably most of you—it’s just a flu shot every year when the seasonal vaccine is available and a booster tetanus/diptheria shot every 10 years. I’m due sometime in mid-2021.
Another useful table is Vaccinations for Adults by age groups: 19-49, 50-64, amd 65 and older at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030.pdf
What about you? Do you know your essential vaccinations? Have you talked to your doctor about which vaccinations you need? Have you had them yet? Do you have a record of which ones you’ve had, when, and where? Do you keep that record in a safe place, such as, well, a safe?
photo of boy with dog bites by 23370518@N05
photo of man in hospital by wickenden
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