Many of us associate getting vaccinated with childhood, but adults need vaccinations too. Vaccinations are an integral part of public health. Not only do they protect the person who received it, they also protect the people in your community who are not able to get vaccinated due to their age or health condition by creating “herd immunity.’
According to HealthFinder.gov, adults should get a flu shot every year, a booster shot every ten years for tetanus and diphtheria, and a shot for shingles once you reach age 60, as well as a pneumonia vaccination at age 65. Adults may also need additional shots if they:
- Have certain health conditions (such as HIV, diabetes, or heart, lung, or liver disease)
- Are pregnant, spend a lot time with infants, young children, or older adults
- Work in a school, hospital, prison, or health clinic
- Are planning to travel outside the United States
- Didn’t get all their shots as a child. Rigorous clinical research over the past 2-3 decades has definitively shown there is no evidence that autism is linked to any vaccine or immunization.
It’s extremely easy to forget the last time you received a shot, and many of us lose track of which ones we need, and when. A great way to keep track of your vaccinations is to stick with one consistent primary care doctor. Contact Principal Medical Group for more information on vaccinations and making sure your immunizations are on schedule.
