Over the past century, life expectancy has risen dramatically worldwide, more than doubling in the United States and other developed nations. This has only been made possible with advances in modern medicine, and most notably, the development of vaccines and increased access to them. It’s estimated that vaccination saves roughly 5 million lives a year from preventable infections.
However, most immunization programs are focused on infants and children, protecting against potentially life-threatening diseases in childhood, such as polio, measles, diphtheria, and pertussis, among others. While vaccines have helped eradicate some diseases like smallpox, also providing lifetime protection against diseases like polio, others require boosters in adulthood to provide continued protection.
There are also some vaccines that you are unlikely to have received as a child and should consider taking as an adult. You should talk to your doctor or use a vaccine planner for personalized guidance on vaccination, as the recommended vaccines for adults will vary depending on your medical history, age, occupational exposure, and other factors.
The Importance of Adult Vaccination
Adult vaccination plays a critical role in maintaining public health and is regarded as the bulwark against outbreaks or epidemics that would otherwise overwhelm health systems. In adults, vaccination helps support the immune system, providing protection against diseases that you may not have been vaccinated against before. As the protection offered by some childhood vaccines wanes as we age, you may also need boosters to protect against these diseases. Getting these shots is critical for your health and the health of your community because aging not only makes us more susceptible to some diseases, but it also puts others at risk, as infected people can increase the spread of infectious diseases among vulnerable populations.
While recent history has highlighted the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for adults, there are other essential vaccines that every adult should know about.
5 Essential Vaccines for Adults
1. Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis vaccine)
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis or whooping cough, have mortality rates that are as high as 30 to 50 percent, making vaccination or booster doses essential for adults. Adults are advised to get the Tdap vaccine if they haven’t been vaccinated previously, while vaccinated adults require a booster shot every 10 years for continued protection against the diseases.
2. Influenza Vaccine
Often dismissed as ‘just the flu’, influenza claims up to 50,000 lives a year in the United States alone. Although it causes mild illness in most people, it can cause life-threatening complications in young children, older adults, and those with weakened immunity and chronic conditions like diabetes. Adult vaccination, therefore, protects not just individuals but your entire community. This vaccine should be taken annually to protect against the latest emerging strains of influenza.
3. Hepatitis B Vaccine
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver infection, which can become chronic, as is the case for roughly 1.8 million Americans. This increases the risk of potentially fatal complications, as chronic HBV has been linked to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. The infection, which is most commonly seen in adults between the ages of 30 to 59 years, can be prevented with the HBV vaccine. Vaccination is recommended for all adults over 19 years of age and those aged over 60 if they are at risk of infection.
4. Shingles Vaccine
Shingles is a viral infection that produces a painful rash, but it can also result in serious complications, including chronic neuropathy or nerve pain and visual impairment or complete loss of vision. According to the CDC, the disease will affect 1 in every 3 adults in the United States during their lifetime, making vaccination critical for prevention. The vaccine is available and recommended for adults over the age of 50 years and immunocompromised adults over the age of 19 years.
5. HPV Vaccine
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is so widespread that it’s estimated that almost every sexually active adult gets infected at some point in their life. The disease usually goes undetected as it is mostly asymptomatic, but when untreated it is known to cause oral, anal, and cervical cancers. This makes HPV vaccination at an early age crucial to prevent infection and to lower the risk of these cancers. Vaccination is ideally received between the ages of 9 to 26 years, but you can also receive it up to the age of 45 years, if your doctor sees fit.
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Claire Reid is a passionate content writer specializing in Health, Psychology, and Well-being. She also explores topics in Lifestyle and Personal Development, aiming to inspire mindful, balanced living.