Doctors say adults need to keep vaccines up to date, too
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BY NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star
Vaccines aren’t just for kids.
Adults should also roll up their sleeves for a few shots, according to Nebraska’s chief medical officer.
Two shots are particularly important for seniors: the flu vaccine and the pneumonia vaccination, Dr. Joann Schaefer said.
* Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Td/Tdap). Adults should get booster shots if the primary dosage was completed 10 or more years ago, especially after any injuries associated with tetanus, including cuts caused by rust or old nails.
* Human papillomavirus (HPV). Recommended for all females younger than 26. Ideally, the vaccine would be given before potential exposure to HPV through sexual activity. However, females who are sexually active should still be vaccinated.
* Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR). Adults born before 1957 can be considered immune to measles. Those born in 1957 or after should receive more than one dose of MMR vaccine unless they have medical problems that preclude it.
A second dose is recommended for adults in college who work in health-care facilities or plan to travel internationally.
* Varicella. Adults are likely to be immune to varicella if they were born in the United States before 1980. Otherwise, they should consult a doctor.
* Influenza. For adults with cardiovascular or pulmonary problems or any condition that compromises respiratory function and women who are pregnant during flu season.
* Pneumococcal polysaccharide. For adults diagnosed with chronic pulmonary disease (excluding asthma) and certain other chronic conditions.
* Hepatitis A. For adults at increased risk of contracting Hepatitis A.
* Hepatitis B. Recommended for certain adults with specific conditions or at high risk.
* Meningococcal. Recommended for adults with certain conditions and college students living in dormitories and traveling internationally. The vaccination is required by the government of Saudi Arabia for all travelers to Mecca during the annual Hajj.
* Herpes zoster (shingles). A single dose is recommended for adults 60 and older.
“Vaccinations have been one of the single most important things done to prevent disease, she said.
“Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you are off the hook.”
The more people vaccinated, the better the protection, especially with flu and pneumococcal shots, Schaefer said.
And Nebraska rates for seniors are pretty good, above the national average, she said.
For pneumococcal polysaccharide (the pneumonia shot), Nebraska’s senior vaccine rate is 71.8 percent; nationally, it’s 66.7 percent. For the flu, Nebraska’s senior vaccination rate is 76.8 percent, compared to 72 percent nationally.
Schaefer said a new shingles shot — herpes zoster vaccination — can prevent a debilitating shingles episode.
“Shingles in the elderly causes so much pain and distress that it is really beneficial for them to get that vaccine,” she said as she discussed the 10 vaccines recommended for adults by the Centers for Disease Control.
Shingles can be a relatively minor problem for some people, but for others, it can mean chronic pain, Schaefer said, “like a toothache in the rib.”
The tetanus booster now contains a pertussis booster that will help adults avoid whooping cough, she said. The pertussis vaccine can wear off in adults, who end up with a nagging cough for six to eight weeks, not realizing it is whooping cough, she said.
Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.
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