Adult Immunizations

Did you know that adults need to immunize themselves too? As a child, you receive regular shots at the clinic yourself. Oh, you dreaded those trips, didn’t you? But now you are an adult. You might think you don’t need those immunization shots anymore. Wrong, you still need it, at least for these diseases listed below. Read this article carefully to find out.

Influenza

This will be the equivalent of flu. Although this might not sound very serious to you, but over 30,000 Americans died from flu complications annually. When should you receive the vaccination? If you are aged 50 or above and especially if you have a weak immune system, you need to get vaccinated. You are then supposed to receive these flu shots every year.

Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis (Tdap)

What is Tdap? Tdap is the disease that causes bacteria to go into your wound (if you have any) and can be fatal. You were supposed to receive this injection when you were a child. If you didn’t, you must take it again like how you were supposed to. Furthermore, if you are under the age of 65, you will receive a booster of Tdap every 10 years.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs. You must get vaccinated especially if you are over the age of 65 and have lung illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and so on.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV causes women to increase their risk of having cervical cancer and genital warts. Therefore, young females, especially those who are aged between 9 and 26 years old must get a vaccine shot.

Meningitis

Meningitis is dangerous. When you have meningitis, your brain and spine membranes are inflamed. But for meningitis to happen itself is a rare case. You seldom hear people talking about it because there are not many such cases. But this disease is contagious. This means if you are living in a college or army barrack, everyone could get the disease very easily. If you plan to travel, you must also get a vaccine shot called the meningococcal vaccine. Even if you have been exposed to a person with meningitis, you must get the shot. Otherwise, you risk yourself from getting the disease yourself too.

Hepatitis B

There are many types of hepatitis diseases. But hepatitis B can damage your liver severely. The vaccination of the disease comprises 3 vaccines. Who should receive the vaccine? People with HIV, medical staff, people with kidney or liver disease and people who receive blood regularly.