Immunizations are not just for children. Adult immunizations are vital to continued good health, but are often overlooked. Every year an estimated 36,000 individuals in the United States, especially the elderly, die unnecessarily from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications. By keeping people healthy, vaccinations curtail the extensive therapies and hospitalizations needed to treat acute illnesses like the flu and pneumonia. Immunizations also help reduce absences at work, school and social events, and decrease the spread of illness in the home, workplace and community.

“The recommended program for adult immunizations has been a great boon for preventive medicine, particularly for pneumonia, flu, shingles, and DPT (Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus),” said Harold German, MD, Chief of Huntington Hospital’s Department of Medicine.

“The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a great breakthrough in the prevention of both cervical cancer and genital warts,” added Gerald Siegel, MD, Huntington Hospital’s Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “There are very few side effects associated with this vaccine and research has shown that it is very effective against four types of HPV—types 6, 11, 16 and 18, which together account for 70% of all cases of cervical cancer and 90% of genital warts cases.”

Both the Medical Society of the State of New York and the New York State Department of Health recommend the following immunization schedule for adults:

• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis Vaccine – All adults require tetanus and diphtheria (Td) immunizations at 10-year intervals throughout life, in addition to catch-up vaccinations for any missed shots. Even if they were vaccinated against pertussis as children, adults should also be vaccinated one more time with pertussis vaccine, which is now available in the form of Tdap (a vaccine which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). Some pregnant women may not be candidates for the Tdap vaccine. Always check with your doctor.

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine – Although targeted primarily to young girls age nine and above, preferably before they have had sexual contact, women age 26 and younger should also take advantage of their eligibility for the new vaccine against four types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Gardasil (Merck and Company) is the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females caused by HPV.

• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine – Adults 18 years or older who were born after 1956 should receive Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine (MMR) if they are uncertain of their immunization status or if they have only had one MMR shot prior to school entry. Adults born during or prior to 1956 are presumed to be immune.

• Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine – All healthy adults should be assessed for immunity to chickenpox, and those who do not have evidence of immunity should be vaccinated. Adults without immunity who might be at increased risk for exposure or transmission should receive special consideration for vaccination.

• Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine – Adults age 60 and older, even those who have had a previous episode of shingles, should be vaccinated with the new shingles vaccine.

• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine – Adults with chronic diseases and adults 50 and older should receive one dose of the flu vaccine annually. Others who should get the flu vaccine include pregnant women, healthcare workers, residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, household members or out-of-home caregivers, as well as caregivers of children five years and younger.

• Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (pneumonia)Vaccine – Once after age 65 and as recommended by a physician.

• Hepatitis A Vaccine – Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for the following people 12 months of age and older:

o Travelers to areas with increased rates of hepatitis A
o Men who have sex with men
o Injecting and non-injecting drug users
o People with clotting-factor disorders (i.e., hemophilia)
o People with chronic liver disease (including persons with chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C virus infection).

• Hepatitis B Vaccine – The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for adults who have not already been infected if they are often in high-risk settings, such a hospitals, and/or if they lead high-risk lifestyles that involve such things as multiple sex partners and/or needle sharing.

• Meningococcal Vaccine – People age 11 to 55 can avoid the ravages of serious forms of meningitis if they are vaccinated with the tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine MCV4, called Menactra (Sanofi Pasteur), which the FDA approved in January 2006. It is particularly important for adults who will be living in group housing situations where the disease is more likely to be and spread, such as in college dorms and in military barracks.

• Additional Vaccines – Those who intend to travel outside of the United States should consult the CDC’s international travelers’ health information website (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentVaccinations.aspxl) and/or hotline (877-394-8747) to find out if additional vaccines are required or recommended in the countries that they intend to visit.

Cautions and More Information
Despite all the advantages of vaccinations, certain people with certain conditions at certain times should not get a particular vaccine. Always consult with your physician. The number of people who SHOULD get immunized, however, far outnumbers those who should not. If you are in the majority, avoid unnecessary disease and complications by making sure all your vaccinations are up to date.
For additional information, call the NYS-DOH Immunization Program at 518-473-4437 or log on to its website at www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/immunization or the CDC’s at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

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Women’s Health Institute - July 2008