Author: Leslie Toldo
Back to school time means time to get caught up on vaccines. There are 31 vaccine preventable diseases, and not all those vaccines are for kids. There are 17 recommended vaccinations for adults, too.
“Adult vaccination is important, for the same reasons we encourage parents to keep their children up to date,” said McLaren Family Medicine Dr. Kosta Vergos. “Vaccines typically not only protect the person getting the shot, but they can also safeguard the community against the spread of infectious diseases.”
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.
“That is happening because of misleading and, in some cases, untrue information about potential risks linked to some vaccines,” said Dr. Vergos. “Measles, which has been active in Michigan and other parts of the country this year, was once considered to be irradicated by the MMR vaccination.”
Vaccines are made with antigens, which are weakened or inactive disease-causing microorganisms. Getting vaccinated causes the immune system to make antibodies against the antigen, preventing infection.
“Many vaccine-preventable infections can lead to hospitalization and even death,” said Dr. Vergos. “Which is why it is so vital to make sure you are up to date.”
The CDC recommends adults get vaccinated against influenza annually, and have the most up-to-date COVID -19 vaccinations when available. The Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) booster is recommended every 10 years. Other vaccines are one-time and are typically recommended to specific age groups and/or risk categories:
- Shingles, adults 50 and older, given in two doses.
- Pneumococcal (pneumonia, meningitis, bloodstream infections), adults 65 and older, and those with certain risk factors.
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), between weeks 32 and 36 of pregnancy, if those weeks fall between September and January; those 60 and older at high risk for health complications like pneumonia if they are infected with RSV; adults 75 and older.
- MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), adults born in 1957 or later who haven’t been vaccinated or infected.
- Hepatitis A and B, adults with specific risk factors.
- HPV (human papillomavirus), adults through age 26 and high-risk adults 27-45.
“If you are unsure whether you are considered ‘high-risk’ for some of these infectious diseases, talk with your physician,” said Dr. Vergos. “You can get shingles and other vaccines at your pharmacy, as well.”
If you aren’t sure which vaccinations you’ve had, and you grew up in Michigan, the state health department has a registry where you may be able to find your vaccination records going back to childhood. Other states have these registries too. Your doctor’s office can also help you keep track of your immunizations with a record form. When you get a vaccine, bring the form with you to be dated and signed by your care team.
If you need a primary care physician, you will find a link to all of the McLaren Flint family and internal medicine locations here.