Vaccines and Adults

Isn't it time you update your shots?

Adults are 100 times more likely than children to die of diseases that vaccines can prevent. Each year in the US, vaccine-preventable diseases claim the lives of 500 children and approximately 50,000 adults.

Adults often don't get vaccines for a variety of reasons; however, at Heights Medical we encourage all seniors to come in for an immunization check up.

Influenza, Pneumonia, Hepatitis B, cervical cancer, shingles and pertussis (whooping cough) are all adult diseases that can be prevented by vaccines.

Why do adults need vaccines?

• Sometimes the vaccine does not provide lifelong protection because immunity fades (i.e. diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).
• Sometimes the virus or bacteria changes through time, so the memory cells will not recognize it as well, or even at all (example: influenza).
• Sometimes the aging immune systems become susceptible to diseases that were less of a threat at an earlier age (i.e. shingles and pneumonia).

Recommended Schedule for All Adults

Age: Younger than 50 years
Vaccines: Tdap once and Td every 10 years

Age: 50 years or older
Vaccines: Influenza annually, Tdap once and Td every 10 years

Age: 60 years or older
Vaccines: Shingle (Zostervax), Influenza annually, Tdap once and Td every 10 years

Age: 65 years or older
Vaccines: Pneumonia 1 dose, Shingles if not had previously, Influenza annually, Td every 10 years

Contact your physician to schedule your immunization check up today.
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