Adults
are 100 times more likely to die from vaccine-preventable
diseases than kids.
Immunization
(or vaccination) is a safe, effective and simple way to
prevent life-threatening illnesses - not only for infants
and kids, but also for adults. In fact, adults in the United
States are at far greater risk of dying from a vaccine-preventable
disease than kids are. But immunizations can protect you.
Which immunizations should you get? That depends on your
age, your general health... even your lifestyle or profession
can make a difference in which immunizations you need. That's
why you should talk to your internist.
Here
is a checklist of the immunizations your internist might
recommend:
Influenza
(the flu)
Every year a wave of influenza sweeps the
nation. For healthy adults, it can mean days in bed with
a fever and severe cough. But it can be life-threatening
for people age 50 or older or those with chronic health
conditions. For healthy adults, one dose every fall prevents
the virus. For high-risk adults, it prevents complications.
Pneumococcal
Infections (pneumonia)
These infections of the lungs, blood-stream
or brain cause 15,000 deaths each year in the U.S.Ð
while a single shot protects against them. If you're over
65 and your pneumococcal vaccination was more than five
years ago, ask your internist about a booster.
Tetanus-Diphtheria
Adults need a one-dose "Td" booster
every 10 years to protect themselves against these life-threatening
infections. Not sure if you're due? Check with your internist.
Chicken
Pox (varicella)
If you were the only kid on the block who
didn't get chicken pox, you should be the first in line
to get immunized against it! A relatively mild illness in
kids, it is usually very serious in adults.
Measles,
Mumps & Rubella
If you never had these diseases as a child,
nor were immunized against them, talk with your internist.
They are highly contagious (can be caught just by talking
with an infected person) and have serious complications
for adults. One series of two shots protects you.
Immunization only for those
at risk
Hepatitis
A
Two shots 6-12 months apart
Hepatitis
B
Three shots over a six-month period.
Immunization against these viruses that infect the liver
are recommended for people who are either at risk or in
contact with people at risk. Your internist can determine
if you are one of them. A partial list of those at-risk
includes health care workers, those whose sexual activity
puts them at risk, intravenous drug users, international
travelers, immigrants, native Americans, and Alaskan natives.
Travel
Immunizations
If you are planning international travel, be
sure to ask your internist if your destinations require immunizations
for infectious diseases common to those areas.
