By Aleena Khetani, BS(c), Intern, Future Public Health Leaders Program
When was the last time you thought about your vaccination status?
Many of us associate vaccinations with going to our pediatrician as a kid. We would get a new shot at each visit to check off requirements for our school immunization records and receive a sticker or lollipop as a reward. However, have you stopped to think about the last time you got a flu shot? Or if you’re due for a tetanus booster? As I recently began working in public health, specifically in emergency preparedness and infectious disease, I found myself thinking more about what we can do on an individual level to prepare for outbreaks and protect our communities.
Staying up to date on vaccines protects not only yourself, but also those around you. Protection doesn’t stop once you become an adult, but rather grows with us throughout our lives.
Vaccines for Every Age
Vaccines are important at every stage of life. Through our childhood, they provide the foundation to keep us from getting sick as our immune system develops. As adolescents, we receive some new vaccines, but also boosters to reinforce the protection we started building as kids.
Adults tend to overlook routine immunization, but it remains important for so many reasons! Not only do they continue to provide the same protection we needed as kids, but immunity can decrease over time. When I started my first hospital job, I had to complete blood titer tests, which is how I discovered that I had lost immunity to viruses I had been vaccinated against as a child.
Additionally, being vaccinated as an adult will not only protect us, but also those in our communities who are the most vulnerable, such as immunocompromised and older adults. These populations may have weaker immune systems, which can put them at a greater risk for serious complications from vaccine-preventable conditions.
Have you checked on these?
Several vaccines remain important well beyond childhood, including:
- Influenza (Flu): Recommended annually because flu viruses change from year to year.
- Tdap/Td: Booster doses help maintain protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Protects against several cancers and may still be recommended for certain adults.
- Shingles: Recommended for older adults to prevent painful shingles infections and complications.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Recently recommended for many older adults and certain high-risk individuals to reduce severe respiratory illness.
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines can help reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and complications.
While some of these vaccines are recommended annually, others might just be periodic boosters. Check with your doctor to see which is recommended for you!
What Can I Do?
Emergency preparedness goes beyond first aid kits and hospitals preparing for infectious diseases. The first steps come from us taking the necessary steps to protect ourselves! Remaining aware of vaccines as adults will keep us protected against various illnesses and outbreaks.
Consider taking the following steps:
- Check your vaccination records.
- Ask your primary care provider if you are due for any routine vaccines or boosters.
- Encourage family members and loved ones to stay up to date on recommended immunizations.
- Stay informed, as Vaccine Recommendations For Adults can change over time based on new evidence and public health guidance.
Vaccines are a part of our entire life, not just our childhood. As you continue with your day today, I encourage you to ask yourself: when was your last vaccine?