Vaccine – maybe this is one of the most discussed topics in the present pandemic situation. But have you ever thought not only about COVID 19, but we also need many other vaccines for adults? Usually, we think vaccines are just for kids. But you may not realize vaccines for adults are an essential part of life. Many serious diseases are still common in different countries which we can prevent to happen through vaccinations.
Even if you got all the necessary vaccines in your childhood, some of them may have worn off by now and new vaccines have already developed. Furthermore, there are many other reasons which I will discuss in this blog for which you may need proper vaccines for adults to stay safe and healthy. Not only you, but vaccines also protect the health of your family from many diseases which may spread fast.
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Reasons for which vaccines for adults are important
1. The vaccines for adults may change over time
Vaccines are common for children. You too have taken it during your childhood, but may not all those that your child is taking present days. Moreover, your parents might not even get the vaccines that you have received. Also, some vaccines require a booster at a certain age to remain protected against the disease. Some vaccines do not give you lifelong protection like tetanus or whooping cough which usually comes with diphtheria toxoid
2. The adult vaccine helps to protect kids
Certain diseases are contaminated like whooping cough and flu. So, if you have a very small kid at home (especially below 6 months of age) or you are a pregnant woman with 27th to 36 weeks gestation, then you must get a proper vaccine to protect the child. This creates a cocoon of protection around the child
3. A flu shot is a must
Among other vaccines for adults, flu is very common and unless you have a medical reason, you must receive it each year. This is valid for everyone from 6 months to older. The flue vaccine is designed for three or four strains of influenza and must be taken before the flu season
4. You may need them when you travel
If you are heading towards the developing world then you should prior check the vaccines for adults needed for traveling. Because you may run into illness you may not have faced in your country. For example, yellow fever is a common disease in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The Saudi Arabian government also mandated meningococcal vaccination during hajj or for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. If you want to check details about countries and required vaccines for traveling please check CDC’s website.
5. You didn’t get fully vaccinated as a child
You may have noticed that you need to get your child vaccinated every month for 1 year. However, not every one of us is fully vaccinated as a child. But these vaccines are required for you as an adult. So, if you didn’t get vaccines for diseases like chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella as a child you need them as an adult. Furthermore, some older adults were born at a time when vaccination was not conventional. So, they also need vaccination at times.
6. Newer vaccines are appearing with new diseases
Some vaccines for adults are fairly new. For instance, the FDA approved the first HPV vaccine in 2006 which is a must now for females to protect against cervical cancer. Awareness related to vaccines for adults though increasing in these years, however, it is still a challenge in many countries. Not to mention, within a year COVID19 vaccine will be a must for everyone.
7. As a healthcare professional you need special care
If you are a health care provider it is not unlikely that you are vulnerable to potential infections. Besides, you are exposed to bodily fluids including blood. Hence, you require to have a complete series of vaccination to boost your immunity against the odds. Additionally, you need an annual influenza vaccine.
8. If you are sexually active with multiple partners
Like HIV, Hepatitis B is a highly contaminated disease that enhances your chance to get infected 50- 100 times more easily than HIV if you are linked with multiple sexual partners. Your partner may not appear ill but can be a silent carrier of the disease. It can transmit through the contact of bodily fluids. So, the hepatitis B vaccine is highly recommended in this case.
9. You suffer from some chronic disease
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a very common bacteria that can affect anybody if they have a compromised immune system or have some lung disease or even smoke cigarettes. In this case, the pneumococcal vaccine is helpful. Not only, these particular bacteria, but the vaccine also helps to prevent many serious diseases like blood infection, pneumonia, meningitis.