Vaccinations and immunizations are an important part of preventive care for adults. Vaccines are medications that help prevent infectious diseases and their complications. The flu shot is recommended yearly for most individuals. In addition, flu vaccines are recommended for all persons who do not have a medical reason to avoid the flu shot.
Vaccinations are an important part of preventive medicine. While vaccines are typically associated with childhood, adults need vaccines as well to ensure their continued immunity as some vaccines that were administered as a child may lose their effectiveness over time. Vaccines also provide protection against diseases that adults may be at risk for based on their age, lifestyle, travel or existing medical conditions.
Vaccines save millions of lives annually, especially in children, and vaccinations are estimated to prevent 3.5 to 5 million deaths globally each year. Vaccines contribute to herd immunity, protecting vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated. They also mimic natural infections to engage the body’s defenses without causing the disease. The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent flu and its complications for the majority of individuals, as flu vaccines help to protect against serious illness. By keeping up to date on recommended vaccines you can prevent illness and protect others against diseases and help to keep your overall health in check.
Vaccines prevent millions of deaths every year, especially in children. Vaccinations are estimated to prevent between 3.5 to 5 million deaths globally each year. Vaccines help with the concept of herd immunity, which keeps the most vulnerable populations safe who may not be able to get vaccinated. Vaccines often use dead or weakened viruses and bacteria to trick your body’s defense mechanism into thinking they are natural infections.
One of the best practices for disease control and prevention is immunization. Adults can prevent themselves and others from infectious disease outbreaks by getting recommended vaccines like the seasonal flu vaccine and shingles vaccine. Vaccines help lower the risk of spreading and contracting infectious diseases such as influenza and shingles. By teaching our bodies the way to fight against viruses, including flu viruses and the varicella zoster virus, vaccines aid in preventing moderate or serious illness before it starts.
We should get the flu vaccine every year during flu season, as advised by CDC, to be safe from three flu viruses that are most likely to spread each year. This is particularly true for individuals who are immunocompromised or have chronic diseases as they have a greater chance of developing flu and other serious complications. The shingles vaccine aids adults in the prevention of shingles and other shingles related complications. The Shingles (HZ) Prevention Vaccines Reduce the Danger section explains more about it.
Consult a healthcare practitioner before receiving the vaccine if you have certain medical issues or have ever had a serious allergic reaction. Read through the “Key facts and CDC advice” sections to stay up-to-date with information. There are several clinical trials, according to Harvard University that prove the safety and the impact on the general public of getting vaccinated.
Getting up-to-date with the recommended vaccines helps adults avoid getting sick from diseases such as the flu, shingles, and COVID-19 and other diseases that can prevent infectious disease outbreaks in the community. Adults can lower their risk of complications by taking proactive steps to safeguard themselves from infectious diseases.
We offer a comprehensive range of vaccinations for our adult patients:
- Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: The flu vaccine, also called the influenza vaccine, is recommended for most people 6 months of age and older, including adults, to prevent seasonal flu. Flu vaccines are offered in the United States beginning in September each year. It takes about 2 weeks after vaccination to develop immunity against flu viruses. Flu viruses change rapidly over time so new flu vaccines are released each year to match circulating strains. You can get the flu vaccine at your healthcare professional’s office, pharmacies, health centers and vaccine clinics. Alaska Native people are at greater risk for flu complications and should be a priority for getting the vaccine. There are also high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines for older adults and people with weakened immune systems that help trigger a stronger immune response. The flu shot will help provide protection against flu complications, including hospitalization.
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccine: The Tdap vaccine is recommended one time for adults who have not already received the vaccine, followed by a Td (Tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years.
- Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccine: The recombinant zoster vaccine called Shingrix is the only way to protect against shingles and related complications. Shingrix can be obtained in your doctor’s office or at a pharmacy. About 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime and the risk increases with age. Shingrix offers strong protection against shingles and a complication called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Side effects are common with Shingrix but most last 2 to 3 days and include pain at the injection site, muscle pain, fatigue and headache. Side effects are more common in younger people but all eligible adults should get the vaccine. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been reported very rarely following Shingrix. Coverage from Medicare Part D will cost you nothing out-of-pocket for the Shingrix vaccine starting in 2023 but cost may vary for those with other insurance plans. Vaccine manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, can provide information on vaccine availability and assistance programs. When you get the first dose of Shingrix your body makes a first response. You will need a second dose for a stronger protection, even if you experience side effects after the first dose. Over the counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can treat common side effects. The shingles rash is the outward sign of the disease. Vaccination helps prevent both the rash and postherpetic neuralgia. Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). When a person has chickenpox the VZV virus stays in the body and can reactivate years later to cause shingles.
- Pneumococcal Vaccine: Pneumococcal vaccine is advised for adults 65 years of age and older and for younger adults with certain medical conditions to prevent pneumococcal diseases such as pneumonia
- Hepatitis B Vaccine: Recommended for adults up to age 59, and for those 60 and older with risk factors for hepatitis B infection.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: Recommended for adults up to age 26 and some adults aged 27 through 45 based on individual risk factors and discussions with their healthcare provider.
- COVID-19 Vaccine: The COVID-19 vaccines are rigorously monitored for safety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required the addition of safety warnings about the heart conditions myocarditis and pericarditis to the prescribing information for Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA added the warning to mRNA vaccines’ labels because myocarditis is a very rare side effect that has been seen more often in young males who got a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, about one in 32,000 people, mainly after the second dose and most people fully recover quickly. The chance of developing myocarditis after getting a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is much smaller than the risk from getting COVID-19 itself which can also cause myocarditis. The FDA plans to put a ‘black box’ warning on the labels of all COVID-19 vaccines to signal that they may cause heart inflammation in some people. Pregnant people can discuss whether to get a COVID-19 vaccine with their healthcare provider. Children ages 6 months and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines with specific recommendations for each age group. mRNA vaccines teach our cells to make a harmless piece of the spike protein found on the surface of the virus to protect against COVID-19. There are other types of COVID-19 vaccines including viral vector and inactivated vaccines which work in different ways. The main symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain, shortness of breath and fast or irregular heartbeats; people should get medical attention if they have these symptoms.
Additional vaccines may be recommended based on individual health status, occupational exposures, travel plans, and other factors.
There are some common vaccines which should be a part of our routine vaccination schedule and they are as follows:
Live-Attenuated
Live-attenuated vaccines are a weakened form of the actual virus. They elicit a strong and long-lasting immune response.
Inactivated
Inactivated vaccines are made from germs that have been killed through heat or chemical treatment.
Subunit/Conjugate/Polysaccharide
Subunit/conjugate/polysaccharide vaccines use only specific pieces of the germ in the vaccine, rather than the whole germ or weakened form.
Toxoid
Toxoid vaccines use inactivated toxins that have been produced by bacteria.
Viral Vector
Viral vector vaccines use a harmless virus to carry genetic material from the germ that causes the disease into cells.
mRNA/DNA
mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a harmless viral protein and our immune system learns how to fight the virus.
Immunization saves $52 in healthcare costs for every $1 invested in vaccines in low and middle income countries and vaccines can also prevent severe illness and hospitalization reducing healthcare costs. Vaccination with a specific vaccine is responsible for the global eradication of smallpox in 1980. Vaccines now help prevent many diseases including measles, polio, flu, COVID-19 and tetanus. Diseases can reemerge if a population’s vaccination rates drop as has happened with pertussis in Japan. After vaccination the immune response results in the production of antibodies and memory cells that help protect in the future.
Understanding that each patient’s health needs are unique, Dr. Parangi provides personalized immunization assessments. During your visit, we will:
- Review Your Medical History: Evaluate past vaccinations, current health conditions, and potential risk factors.
- Discuss Lifestyle and Travel Plans: Consider occupational exposures, travel destinations, and lifestyle choices that may influence vaccine recommendations.
- Develop a Customized Vaccination Schedule: Create a tailored plan to ensure you receive appropriate immunizations at the right times.
Proactive healthcare is vital for long-term well-being. Ensure you’re protected against preventable diseases by staying up-to-date with your vaccinations. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. S. Michael Parangi, MD, and take a significant step toward safeguarding your health.
