Vaccinations at Every Age

August 2, 2011

Most people receive their initial vaccinations in early childhood, but once out of school many shy away from additional shots while at the doctor’s office. This trend has caused viruses such as pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, to resurface in our society. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending adults, especially if around children; follow up with revaccinations later in life. Below is a chart detailing common vaccines you need to discuss with your physician during your next visit.

Vaccine	What it does	When it should be given
Influenza	This fights off acute viral illnesses such as the common flu.	Recommended for all adults once a year during flu season (fall or winter).
Pneumococcal polysaccharide	This fights off bacterium that can cause illnesses, including meningitis and pneumonia.	Recommended for people over 65 and anyone under 65 with chronic risk factors, including cardiac and pulmonary disease (including asthma), chronic liver disease, alcoholism, diabetes, CSF leaks, cigarette smoking, as well as candidates for or recipients of cochlear implants and people living in special environments or social settings.
Td, Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)	This vaccinates against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. As whooping cough is resurfacing in the United States the pertussis vaccination becomes more important, especially for adults around small children.	Recommended one-time vaccination for everyone, especially if high risk of infection or around children. Should be immunized every ten years.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)	This vaccinates against the measles, mumps and rubella. Commonly given as an infant vaccine.	Recommended for people who where born prior to 1957 or born outside the United States. Everyone born after 1957 should have received the one-time vaccination as a child.
Varicella (chickenpox)	This vaccinates against chickenpox. Commonly given as an infant vaccine.	Recommended one-time vaccination for all adults without evidence of immunity (through vaccine or prior outbreak of chicken pox)
Zoster (shingles)	This vaccinates against shingles.	Recommended one-time vaccination for people over the age of 60 regardless of previous history of herpes, zoster (shingles) or chickenpox.

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