What You Need To Know About Adult Immunizations

While infant/child immunizations are the hot topic right now, politically speaking, vaccines aren't just for children. Sadly, though you may not love getting shots, you'll never outgrow the need for immunizations. If you've got questions about adult immunizations and want some answers, then here's what you need to know. 

They vary from individual to individual

Infants and children all receive the same immunizations, but that fact doesn't hold true for adults. There are a variety of factors that influence which vaccines you need, such as age, profession, health, and travel. 

You need vaccines as a child and as an adult

Because of advances in science, technology, and information, some crucial vaccines that are commonplace now may not have been around when you were a child. If this is the case, you'll need to be immunized against those diseases when you're an adult. Immunity to certain diseases can slowly fade over time, which means that you'll need another shot (often called a "booster") to re-immunize you against particular sicknesses.

Last but not least, you may be more susceptible to certain diseases (such as the flu) as you get older and your immune system gets weaker and weaker. Diseases you may have been able to fight off without a second thought in your twenties could have devastating effects when you're in your sixties. 

There are some you'll always need

It's recommended that every adult get a flu shot once a year, and a tetanus and diphtheria booster shot every decade or so. These shots will help keep you safe from the more pernicious diseases, allowing you to live your life unimpeded.

New advancements are being made all the time

As scientists study the human body and immune system more and more, they find different diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. These new innovations help to keep the population healthy, even as diseases grow and evolve. For example, a new vaccine recommendation for adults above 65 was instituted in September 2014. This vaccine helps to fight against pneumococcal diseases and is so new that it doesn't even show up on the printed materials from the Center for Disease Control.

The bottom line

As important as it is to keep yourself free and clear from any of these nasty, preventable diseases, it's equally important to make sure you can't pass them on to other people, who may or may not be vaccinated. Always make sure to stay up on your immunizations, and you'll keep yourself--and others--safe from disease.

For more information about immunizations, contact The Pediatric Center or a similar location.