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by Gregory A. Poland, MD, FACP
Chair of the National Coalition for Adult Immunization and Chief
of the Mayo Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic and Foundation
Content Experts: Cathy A. Alessi, MD---Sepulveda VA Medical Center
and Dean Norman, MD--VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, UCLA
School of Medicine.
Vaccines are medicines that help protect
(immunize) people against certain illnesses and serious infectious
diseases. They are especially important for older adults, since
the immune system tends to weaken as people age.
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Q. What vaccines
are available to protect adults?
A. There
are vaccines (immunizations) for influenza (flu), pneumococcal
disease and hepatitis B. Some adults also need to be protected
against measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), hepatitis
A, tetanus, diphtheria, and chickenpox. Public Health Service
has identified those people who should be vaccinated against
these diseases.
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Q. Should all adults
be immunized?
A.
Yes. As a general rule, all adults require measles, mumps,
rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria immunizations. All adults age
65 and older and those with diabetes and chronic heart, lung,
liver, or kidney disorders need vaccines for influenza and pneumococcal
disease. Hepatitis B vaccine is indicated for
Health care workers and
people who have multiple sex partners are at high risk for hepatitis
B. They should receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
The vaccine against hepatitis
A is recommended primarily for:
- Travelers visiting developing
countries where hepatitis A is common and clean water, good sanitation,
and proper sewage disposal are not available;
- Adults who have chronic
liver disease or blood clotting-factor disorders;
- Those who use illegal
drugs; and
- Men who have sex with
men.
Adults who have not had
chickenpox should think about being tested to see if they are
immune. If they are not, they should be vaccinated.
Q. How often do
I need to be immunized?
A.
Immunizations for pneumococcal disease, measles, mumps, and rubella
are usually given once, and may protect you for life. If you are
at risk for problems resulting from pneumococcal disease, this
vaccination may be repeated however, in some people at particular
risk for complications of pneumococcal disease, the pneumococcal
vaccination may be repeated periodically if it has been five or
more years since your first pneumococcal vaccination. Some people
born after 1956 may need a second measles vaccination. Since new
strains of the flu develop constantly, the Flu vaccine must be
given yearly due to new strains of virus which are not contained
in previous vaccines. In adulthood, immunization for tetanus and
diphtheria (Td vaccine) must be supplemented with a booster shot
every 10 years for life, throughout life. Some experts believe
that if you received the complete series of tetanus vaccinations
as a young person, you may be protected with a single booster
shot at or about 50 years old. However, some experts feel that
an adult who has received the complete series of vaccinations
for tetanus in their youth may be adequately protected with a
single booster shot at about age 50. Hepatitis B vaccine is administered
in three doses over six months. Two doses of chickenpox vaccine
are suggested for people 13 years and older who have not had the
disease. Two doses of hepatitis A are needed 6 to 12 months apart
to ensure long-term protection.
Q. Where can I
get immunized?
A. Contact
your health care provider or local health department for a list
of doctors who give these shots. Your city or county health department
or local hospital may operate clinics that provide these vaccines.
Q. How much do
vaccines cost?
A. It
will depend on your insurance coverage. Check with your health
care provider or clinic and your health insurance for exact cost
rates. Medicare Part B pays for influenza and pneumococcal shots.
Q. Are there side
effects to vaccines?
A. Vaccines
are some of the safest medicines around. Some common side effects
include mild soreness in the arm or a low fever. All medicines,
including vaccines, pose the rare chance of serious side effects,
even death. But, for most people, the risks from the diseases
are far greater than the risks from the vaccines. You should speak
with your health care provider about possible side effects.
Q. What vaccines
do I need if I'm traveling abroad?
A.
Speak with health care provider or health department as early
as possible to find out what vaccines you will need. The time
it takes to complete them will depend on whether you need one
dose or many doses to be immunized. There are many books designed
for travelers that give general health tips for people going abroad.
They also include information on the particular vaccines required
by different countries for travelers. You can also call the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention travelers information line
at (404) 332-4559.
Q. Should I carry
a personal immunization record?
A. Yes!
You should record all vaccines received. It will help you and
your health care provider make sure that you are protected against
diseases that vaccines can prevent. Ensure your protection against
vaccine-preventable diseases. It can also do away with needless
revaccination when you change providers and during health emergencies.
Ask your provider for a copy of this record. Be sure to take it
with you to his or her office so vaccinations can be listed each
time a new one is received.
Q. Where can I get
additional information?
A.
National Coalition for Adult Immunization
4733 Bethesda Avenue Suite 750
Bethesda, MD 20814-5228
Phone: 1-301-656-0003
Fax: 1-301-907-0878
Email: adultimm@aol.com
Website: www.medscape.com/NCAI
CDC National Immunization
Information Hotline
Phone: 1-800-232-2522(English Service)
Phone: 1-800-232-0233 (Spanish Service)
Monday-Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm Eastern Time
National Institute on
Aging
PO Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
Phone: 800-222-2225
TTY: 1-800-222-4225
Website: www.nih.gov/nia
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