If you’re a parent, you’re probably familiar with the immunization schedule for kids. It outlines what vaccines a child should receive and when. Did you know, though, that there’s also one for adults?
That’s right. Even though we often think of vaccinations as simply being something for kids, adults need them, too.
“It’s a common misconception that adults are past the stage of needing immunizations,” says Candice Johnson Jones, DO, family practice physician with West Tennessee Medical Group. “In reality, there are many immunizations that may be called for as an adult, including an annual flu shot. It’s important to stay up-to-date on what vaccines you need as you get older.”
Unsure of where to begin when it comes to adult immunizations? Read on as we take a deeper dive into the topic.
Why Do Adults Need Immunizations?
It’s a pretty common question, and one with an easy answer. Adults need vaccinations for a couple reasons.
First, immunizations given in childhood can sometimes wear off over time, making a “booster shot” a necessity to continue the protections the vaccine gives.
And second, adults are at a higher risk of developing different medical conditions than children are. That means that they need vaccinations against illnesses that kids do not.
Still not sure why immunizations are needed at all? Every year in the United States and across the world, children and adults become sick and even die due to illnesses that are preventable.
A vaccine is a much safe alternative to exposing yourself to a potentially deadly disease. When you’re vaccinated against a certain disease, you are given a dose of weakened or inactivated antigen from that disease, allowing your body to build up defenses against it.
What Immunizations Do I Need as an Adult?
That’s a great question — and one best answered by your medical provider! He or she can provide you with individualized guidance based on your age, gender, and overall health needs.
But we can take a look at common adult immunizations and when and why you might need them:
Influenza. Often called the “flu shot,” this is a vaccination you should be getting each year. Each year, different strains of the flu are more common, so the vaccine is reformulated each year to try and protect against those strains. Since flu season begins in October and continues through March or April, it’s a good idea to get your flu shot by October or November.
Tdap/Td. This vaccination protects you from tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. If you didn’t have this vaccine as a child, you should receive the full Tdap shot now. Women should receive this immunization during every pregnancy, and every person should receive a booster shot every 10 years.
Zoster. If you are age 50 or older, you should get a two-dose series of this vaccine, which protects against shingles.
Pneumococcal. At age 65 or older, you should receive the PPSV23 vaccine and the PCV13 vaccine to protect against pneumonia, if you haven’t had it already. These vaccinations may be recommended to you at a younger age if you have a high-risk medical condition or are a smoker.
HPV. You might think of this immunization as being for kids, but actually, the human papillomavirus vaccine can be given to adults, too. If you have not already been vaccinated and are younger than age 26, you should receive this vaccine to protect against HPV. In some cases, men and women ages 27 to 45 may also be vaccinated against HPV, so talk with your provider.
Other Immunizations Adults May Need
The vaccines we’ve listed above are recommended for nearly every adult. But there are some other immunizations you may need, depending on your individual situation:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- MenACWY (meningococcal ACWY)
- MenB (meningococcal B)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
Your medical provider will be able to talk through any immunizations you need and why.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 numbers are on the rise again, and West Tennessee Medical Group encourages everyone to do their part to keep West Tennessee safe by getting your COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccines were developed using science that has been in use for over a decade, and are not experimental. COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be over 90% effective, and can keep you from getting and spreading the virus that causes the infection. The vaccines also prevent you from experiencing serious illness or death even if you do contract the virus. Studies have also shown that vaccination provides a strong boost of protection in people who have recovered from COVID-19.
Wondering whether you’re up-to-date on the immunizations you need? Talk with your provider at your next checkup! FIND A PROVIDER HERE.
