When we hear about vaccines, often than not, we have always associated them with infants and children. But just as the same as toddlers, adults should stay up to date on what vaccines you may need.
As an adult, getting a vaccine is essential as it protects you from infectious diseases and keeps you immune to various bacteria and viruses.
Here are some important vaccines that adults should get:
HPV Vaccine or Gardasil 9
For people who want to lower the risks of developing cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine must be received by adults as it prevents the chance of having the human papillomavirus.
Women and men are recommended to have an HPV vaccine until they are 45 years old. This vaccine reduces the risk of having cervical cancers or genital warts.
- Tdap Vaccine
If you were not able to receive the Tdap vaccine when you were still an adolescent, it is recommended to have this vaccine as this serves as your protection from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis or whooping cough. You may also have a Td booster shot to stay protected every ten years.
Since your babies cannot be immunized yet the moment they are born, Tdap is a vital vaccine for pregnant women between 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Pertussis is deadly and severe for babies, so by vaccinating the mothers, babies can receive the antibodies as protection during the first months of their lives.
Shingles Vaccine
Known as herpes zoster, shingles is characterized by blistering rashes that appear on one side of the face or body. This painful illness usually appears when you are older and may lead to postherpetic neuralgia.
The Center for Disease Control advises people over 50 years old to get Shingrix, a vaccination for shingles, which is very effective in the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia and shingles. The vaccine is given twice with an interval of two to six months.
Even if Zostavax prevents shingles, the CDC prefers Shingrix as the former have significantly decreased shingles over the years.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Even if the pneumococcal disease is quite common, it should be taken seriously as it can kill several people with meningitis and pneumonia. The most affected are adults over 65 years old.
There are two types of pneumonia vaccines that can be administered to protect you from various strains of pneumococcal bacterial infection. People as early as now, especially those having medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, should have the vaccine.
Flu Vaccine
Getting a flu vaccine every year protects you from influenza, which can kill thousands of people. Make sure to keep your flu immunization up-to-date as the virus changes every year. According to the CDC, it is best to have yourself shot with this vaccine every end of October each year.
Travel Vaccines
If you are someone who loves to travel, medical experts would recommend having yourself vaccinated with Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, typhoid, and cholera immunizations, or other vaccines depending on where you are going.
Before traveling, do your research about the common illnesses your destination has so you know if you must get a vaccine or not.
What other Vaccines do I need?
If you’re looking for more information about the vaccines you may need as an adult, please consult your doctor.
You can also start by checking out this informative list of Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for ages 19 years or older in the United States HERE published by the Center for Disease Control that breaks down recommended vaccine schedules by age.
