Are you up to date on all your shots? With all the recent outbreaks from measles to typhus, considering prevention may not be such a bad idea. You could be asking yourself; I already got my set of shots as a kid; do I really need anymore?
The choice is really yours- but we’ve listed out five vaccinations to consider as an adult.
Flu Vaccine
The flu is the most common, contagious (3-4 days) and is readily accessible on a seasonal basis.
The flu changes almost every season which causes updates to the flu shot. It takes up to 2 weeks for it to be effective so the earlier you can take the shot the better off you will be.
Tdap Vaccine
If you work in the restaurant industry, you’ll be familiar with this vaccine- as it is required in most restaurants.
The Tdap is for tetanus. This is often an issue when you get a deep cut that requires stitches. However, this vaccination also protects against diphtheria and whooping cough. That is why it is recommended for a pregnant woman when they reach 27 weeks.
It can go a long way to protect their babies. That’s because babies cannot be immunized but the antibodies in the vaccine can be passed to the babies in the womb. The Tdap is good for up to 10 years and should be renewed.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumonia can prove to be extremely dangerous to seniors. Many are not even aware there is a vaccination against this common illness. Actually, there are two vaccines that target different strains of pneumonia.
The Center for Disease Control suggests that this might also be a useful vaccination for young adults who are dealing with heart disease or diabetes. You definitely want to avoid catching pneumonia, which can complicate those ailments.
Shingles Vaccine
Shingles show up as a blistering rash and can be extremely painful. It is also an ailment that can stick around for months. This risk of contracting this ailment increases with age.
Anyone over 50 should think about getting the vaccination as it has been shown to be ninety percent effective with preventing shingles. Note that you will need two shots, six months apart so plan appropriately.
Travel Vaccines
There are particular travel zones that require immunization. You can find out if your destination will require a shot by checking with the Center for Disease Control. It may be worth scheduling an appointment with your doctor today to get caught up on all your shots.
