You are never too old to get immunized!
In an effort to help prevent illness, it is very important that adults
remember to get vaccinated as needed. Getting immunized is a life-long
job that should not be ignored.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some
adults incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children
will protect them for the rest of their lives. This may be true, except that:
- Some adults were never vaccinated as children.
- Newer vaccines were not available when some adults were children.
- As people age, they become more susceptible to serious disease caused by
common infections, such as flu or pneumonia.
As the summer vacation season approaches and some people prepare to travel
outside of the United States, it also is important to consider that additional
vaccines may be needed. The CDC provides information to assist travelers
and their health care providers in deciding which vaccines, medications
and other measures may be necessary to prevent illness and injury during
international travel.
North Oaks Walk-In Clinics continue to offer the H1N1 flu shot for $25.
No appointments are needed, but call first to check vaccine availability
at (985) 230-5726 in Hammons or (225) 664-2111 in Walker. Hammond hours
of operation are 8a.m.- 9 p.m., on weekdays and 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., on weekends.
In Walker, hours are 8 a.m.- 9 p.m., weekdays and 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information on vaccinations, speak with your health care provider
or visit www.cdc.gov. You also may call Northshore Internal Medicine Associates
in Hammond at (985) 230-7675 or North Oaks Family Medicine Clinics in
Hammond at (985) 230-5800, in Independence at (985) 878-4178 or in Walker
at (225) 664-4398.
Recommended Vaccinations for Adults
| Age Groups |
19-49 Years |
50-64 Years |
65 Years and Older |
|
Vaccines
|
Seasonal
Influenza
|
You may need a yearly dose if you have a chronic health problem,* work
in health care, have close contact with certain individuals,* or you simply
want to avoid getting influenza or spreading it to others. |
You may need a dose every fall (or winter). |
Pneumococcal
Tetanus,
Diphtheria,
Pertussis
(Td, Tdap)
|
You may need 1-2 doses if you smoke cigarettes or if you have certain chronic
medical conditions.* |
You may need 1 dose at age 65 (or older) if you’ve never been vaccinated.
You also may need a 2nd dose.* |
Tetanus,
Diphtheria,
Pertussis
(Td, Tdap)
|
If you haven’t had at least 3 tetanus-and-diphtheria-containing shots
sometime in your life, you need to get them now. Start with dose #1, followed
by dose #2 in 1 month and dose #3 in 6 months. All adults need Td booster
doses every 10 years. If you’re younger than 65 and haven’t
had pertussis-containing vaccine as an adult, one of the doses that you
receive should have pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine in it—known
as Tdap. Be sure to consult your health care provider if you have a deep
or dirty wound. |
Hepatitis B
(HepB)
|
You need this vaccine if you have a specific risk factor for hepatitis
B virus infection* or you simply wish to be protected from this disease.
The vaccine is given as a 3-dose series (dose #1 now, followed by dose
#2 in 1 month, and dose #3 usually given 5 months after dose #2). |
Measles,
Mumps, Rubella
(MMR)
|
You need at least 1 dose of MMR if you were born in 1957 or later. You
also may need a 2nd dose.* |
Does not apply. |
Human
Papillomavirus
(HPV)
|
You need this vaccine if you are a man or woman, 26 or younger. The vaccine
is given in 3 doses over 6 months. |
Does not apply. |
Varicella
(Chicken pox)
|
If you’ve never had chicken pox or you were vaccinated but only received
1 dose, talk to your health care provider about whether you need this vaccine. |
| Meningococcal |
If you are a young adult going to college and plan to live in a dormitory,
you need to get vaccinated against meningococcal disease. People with
certain medical conditions also should receive this vaccine.* |
| H1N1 Influenza |
H1N1 shots are recommended for everyone over 6 months of age; however,
those at most risk for complications or spreading the virus to others
are strongly encouraged to get it. Those at highest risk are: age 6 months
to 24 years; pregnant women; front line health care workers; parents/caregivers
of children younger than 6 months; parents/caregivers of the disabled;
and senior adults under age 65 with pre-existing medical conditions. (See
page 10 for vaccine availability.) |
| Zoster (Shingles) |
Does not apply. |
If you are age 60 years or older, you should get this vaccine now. |