Most people think that vaccines are only for babies and toddlers, but there are a few essential vaccines even adults should get. Here is everything you need to know about adult vaccines.
Are adult vaccines really necessary?
‘Yes. Adult vaccination is necessary because as one grows older their immunity reduces due to the natural ageing process. Apart from that, diseases like diabetes,liver failure, heart failure, kidney failure, asthma, cancer and other factors like steroids, immune-suppressants and poor nutrition render a person weak and susceptible to diseases.’
What essential vaccines do adults need?
Dr V S Natarajan says every adult should get these vaccines.
1. Vaccine against influenza (also known as the flu vaccine) can be taken once in a year, particularly by those who suffer from conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. This vaccine is only for a particular strain of the influenza virus and changes depending on the mutation of the virus, making it necessary for you to get the vaccine every year.
2. Pneumonia vaccine is a must for all adults to prevent pneumonia infection. A person has to get this injection only once in a life time. That being said, in about 10-15% of cases, a person may need a second injection.
3. Tetanus toxoid injection, should be taken once in 10 years or when the person suffers an injury.
4. Typhoid vaccine must be taken once in 3 years either orally or through an injection.
5. HBV (a vaccine for Hepatitis B, A and C) is recommended only for people who are exposed to blood, blood contaminated body fluid or IV drug users. One course comprises of three injections — first injection is administered on the first day, the second injection after one month and third injection after 6 months.
Apart from the above stated vaccines, women should also take theHPV vaccine that helps protect you from the human papilloma virus that is known to cause cervical cancer. You can get this vaccine between the age of 12 to 26 and should especially be administered to women who are sexually active.
You will also require to get vaccinated if you are travel to a different country. This is usually to protect you from endemic diseases that are common in that country. To understand what vaccines you may need to take in case of a trip abroad, talk to your physician about them.
Do these vaccines protect a person from infections throughout their lives like the ones children get?
Dr A. G. Ghoshal, (Ex-President, Indian Chest Society and Medical Director, National Allergy Asthma Bronchitis Institute, Kolkata), says,‘Each vaccine is effective for a certain duration, and may not necessarily have a life-long effect.’
Who should not get these vaccines?
Dr. O P Sharma, Consultant Geriatrician and General Secretary – Geriatric Society of India, says, ‘While most vaccines are safe, administration of Pneumococcal vaccine is contraindicated in certain situations.’ Here are some of them.
- A person who shows a severe hypersensitivity reaction to an initial dose of pneumococcal vaccine that they have received should not get it again. This also applies to people who show a hypersensitivity reaction to any component of the vaccine or any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid.
- This vaccine should be avoided during chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
- The herpes zoster vaccine should not be administered with the pneumococcal vaccine.
Are there any side effects a person should know about?
Dr. O P Sharma, says,’Common side effects of these vaccines are pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, inability to move the arm where the injection has been administered, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle ache and joint pain. But these side effects are short-lived and often subside on their own.
What kind of pre-vaccination precautions should a person take?
‘No special measures are required to be taken before vaccination. But it is advisable to not take vaccines when one is ill or down with viral fever.’ says Dr AG Ghoshal.
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