Vaccines You Should Be Getting as an Adult

Why Adults Need Vaccines

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from serious illnesses. While much attention is given to childhood vaccinations, it's equally important for adults to stay up-to-date with their vaccines.

Maintaining Immunity

Many people assume that once they've received their childhood vaccines, they're protected for life. However, immunity from certain vaccines can decrease over time, leaving adults susceptible to infections. Staying current with vaccinations helps maintain immunity against diseases such as influenza (flu), chickenpox, and more.

Preventing Severe Complications

Vaccine-preventable diseases can lead to severe complications, hospitalization, and even death, especially in older adults or those with underlying health conditions. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of infection and helps prevent these serious outcomes.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations

By getting vaccinated, you help protect those who are more vulnerable to infections, such as infants, elderly individuals, or those with weakened immune systems. Herd immunity occurs when enough people in a community are vaccinated, making it harder for diseases.

Travel-Related Vaccinations

Some vaccines are recommended for adults traveling to regions where specific diseases are more common. Getting vaccinated before traveling can help prevent illnesses and protect public health globally by reducing the spread of diseases across borders.

How Vaccines Work

1. Introducing the Vaccine
   A vaccine contains a tiny piece of the germ that causes a particular disease, such as a virus or bacteria, or it may contain a weakened or inactivated form of the germ. This part of the germ is called an antigen.
2. Stimulating Your Immune System
   When a vaccine is injected into your body or given as a nasal spray or oral solution, it causes your immune system to react. Your immune system is your body's defense mechanism against infections.
3. Building Immunity
   Your immune system recognizes the antigens in the vaccine as foreign invaders and starts making antibodies to fight them. These antibodies are like soldiers trained to recognize and attack that specific germ if it ever enters your body again.
4. Remembering the Germ
   After the initial exposure to the vaccine, your immune system keeps a record of the antigen. So, if you are ever exposed to the real germ, your immune system can quickly recognize it and launch a strong defense to prevent illness.
5. Protection from Disease
   Once your immune system has developed antibodies against a specific germ, it's better equipped to fight off that germ if you encounter it in the future. This helps prevent getting sick or reduces the severity of the illness.

Recommended Vaccines for Adults

COVID-19 vaccine

Given the ongoing spread and mutation of the virus responsible for COVID-19, vaccination is the most effective way of protecting yourself and others. It is recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

• In the U.S., there are currently 3 vaccines available for use: Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax.
• Both adults and children may experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, such as pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. However, these side effects typically go away within a few days. While serious side effects are rare, they can still occur.

Flu vaccine (Influenza)

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that affect the respiratory system, including your nose, throat, and lungs. It can result in mild to severe illness and may lead to hospitalization or even death.

• According to the CDC, approximately 138 million doctor visits have been attributed to the flu, the flu has resulted in 4.4 million hospitalizations and caused 359,000 deaths since 2010.
• While anyone can contract the flu, certain groups face a higher risk of developing severe complications. The high-risk groups are individuals aged 65 and older, individuals with specific chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, pregnant women, and young children.
• The CDC recommends that those aged 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine annually, as receiving the flu shot each year is the primary and most effective method of protection.

Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough), or Td vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria)

Td: Protects against tetanus and diphtheria only.

• This vaccine is recommended for adolescents and adults who have not previously received a dose of Tdap.
• Typically given as a single dose, followed by booster doses of the Td vaccine every 10 years.

Tdap: Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, also referred to as whooping cough.

• This vaccine is recommended for routine booster doses every 10 years for adults who have already received the initial series of tetanus-containing vaccines (such as Tdap).
• Used for wound management in adults who have previously received a primary series of tetanus-containing vaccines but have not received a Tdap dose.

Ages 18-26 Years

• Chickenpox vaccine (varicella)
  Side effects: Sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea
• Flu vaccine (influenza)
  Side effects: Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, low- grade fever, and mild body aches
• Hepatitis B vaccine: Can cause liver damage
  Side effects: Soreness at the injection site
• HPV vaccine (human papillomavirus): Can lead to various cancers
  Side effects: Soreness at the injection site, headache, fainting
• MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella)
  Side effects: Soreness or redness at the injection site, fever, mild rash, or temporary joint pain
• Tdap vaccine or Td
  Side effects: Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, mild fever, headache, tiredness, or nausea.

Ages 27-49 Years

• Routine Vaccines: Similar to the 27-49 age group, with additional vaccines.
• Other Vaccines: May include the chickenpox vaccine (varicella) for those born in 1980 or later and the HPV vaccine.

Ages 50-64 Years

• Routine Vaccines: Similar to the 27-49 age group, with additional vaccines.
• Shingles Vaccine (Zoster)
  • Recommended for adults aged 50 years and older.
  • Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, can lead to painful rash and complications like long-term nerve pain.
  • Shingrix is the preferred vaccine, offering more effective and longer-lasting protection than Zostavax.
• Other vaccines: May include the hepatitis B vaccine for adults up to 59 years of age, the MMR vaccine for those born in 1957 or later, and the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine for adults aged 60 years or older.

Ages 65 Years and Older

• Routine Vaccines: Similar to the 50-64 age group, with additional vaccines.
• Pneumococcal Vaccine
  • Protects against pneumococcal diseases like pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis.
  • Older adults are at higher risk of severe pneumococcal infections.
• Shingles Vaccine (Zoster)
  • Protects against shingles, which can reactivate in those who have had chickenpox.
  • Shingles can lead to long-term nerve pain and other complications.
• Tdap or Td
  Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, which can cause severe complications in older adults.
• Other Vaccines: RSV vaccine for adults aged 60 years or older.

Pregnant Women

• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine:
  • Recommended for all pregnant women during flu season, regardless of the trimester.
  • Protects against severe illness in pregnant women and complications for the fetus, including preterm birth and low birth weight.

Speak with Your Doctor

It is important to speak with your doctor about receiving vaccines to ensure you are up to date on necessary immunizations. Your doctor can help determine which vaccines are most appropriate for you, guaranteeing you receive optimal protection against preventable diseases.

Vaccines protect you from potentially serious and even life-threatening diseases, reducing your risk of illness, hospitalization, and complications. Your doctor can provide personalized recommendations based on your medical history, lifestyle, and any specific health conditions you may have, ensuring you receive the most appropriate vaccines to protect your health and well-being.