Immunizations — Not Just for Kids!
As summer winds down, many parents are busy scheduling their kids’ immunizations to ensure they’re all caught up on their vaccine schedules as they head back to school. What many parents neglect, however, is their own immunizations. Prioritizing kids’ health is understandable, after all, but it shouldn’t come at the price of neglecting one’s own health.
Immunizations may not be at the top of the list for many adults, but the truth is they’re just as important for adults as they are for children. Check out some of the most common vaccines available for adults and make sure you’re up to date on all.
Flu
The flu shot, which varies from year to year by the prevalent influenza strain, is one of the most common vaccines and is available from any retail pharmacy or your primary care provider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone ages 6 months and older should receive an annual flu vaccine. These vaccinations can help reduce the severity of the flu and have been shown to reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization.
Shingles
Shingles is a viral infection caused by a reactivation of the dormant chickenpox virus that manifests as a painful rash. The CDC recommends adults ages 50 and older receive the shingles vaccine — aka Shingrix — every two to six months to prevent shingles and related complications. This includes anyone who has already had shingles, received the chickenpox virus, or received the former shingles vaccine, Zostavax. In addition, adults 19 and older should receive two doses of the vaccine.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a bacterial infection that enters the body through cuts, bites, or other open wounds. The CDC recommends adults should receive a tetanus shot as soon as 10 years after their last dose as an adolescent. After that, subsequent doses should be received once every 10 years. Adults who have never had a tetanus shot should get one shot followed by another 10 years later.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen have been available since early 2021 and play a key role in reducing the risk of serious illness associated with the ongoing pandemic. According to the CDC, vaccine schedules for each are as follows:
- First series:
- Pfizer/BioNTech: Two doses separated by three to eight weeks.
- Moderna: Two doses separated by four to eight weeks.
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen: One dose.
- Boosters:
- Pfizer/BioNTech: One booster at least five months after second dose; second booster for patients 50 and older at least four months after first booster.
- Moderna: One booster at least five months after second dose; second booster for patients 50 and older at least four months after first booster.
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen: One booster at least two months after vaccination; second booster for patients 50 and older at least four months after the first booster.