Adult Vaccinations

Be Wise! Immunize!

FACT:

Each year in the United States, up to 60,000 adults die from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications.

FACT:

Pneumonia and influenza together are the seventh leading cause of death in the US and fifth leading cause of death among older adults.

FACT:

An estimated 80,000 people in the US are infected with hepatitis B each year. The majority are adolescents and young adults.

FACT:

Vaccines are among the safest medicines available.

Adult Vaccinations

Adult vaccinations are one of the most overlooked preventative tools in the health industry today. Vaccine-preventable diseases that are sometimes mild in children can be serious diseases in adults. For instance, serious complications of mumps are more common among adults than among children. Similarly, adolescents and adults are more likely than children to develop severe complications or die when infected with the chickenpox virus.

The CDC recommends various vaccines for adults, depending on their age, medical condition, and potential risk for a particular disease. There are different recommendations for vaccines given during pregnancy. Vaccines recommended for adults include:

  • Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine–for all adults. Every 10 years.
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine–for susceptible adults (people who never got the disease nor the vaccine).
  • Influenza vaccine–needed annually by those 50 years of age and older, pregnant women and all health-care workers & children 6 months-5years.
  • Pneumococcal vaccine–for people 65 years of age and older or those with chronic disorders.
  • Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine–for susceptible adults (people who never got the disease nor the vaccine).
  • Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines–for adults at risk of exposure.

While childhood immunization coverage rates are above 90% in the US, adolescent and adult immunization rates are under 70%.

All adults should do a "vaccine inventory check". Each individual needs to look at past vaccines and potential exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Traveling out of the country? Check with us for recommended immunizations.