CDC Issues New Vaccine Guidelines for Adults

As children and young adults prepare to go back to school this September, parents are reminded to make sure their kids are up-to-date on all their vaccines.  But older adults don’t often think about immunization other than their annual flu vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new immunization recommendations for adults in 2017 which includes hepatitis B, HPV as well as flu vaccines.  Healthy adults need only two meningitis doses but three is still recommended in the case of an outbreak or for those at an increased risk for contracting the disease.

The CDC advises adults with chronic liver disease or elevated liver enzymes get the hepatitis B vaccine to protect the liver from infection.  Adults should also get a seasonal flu vaccine each year, especially older adults or those with chronic health conditions.  An injection, rather than the nasal mist, is considered more effective.

Seniors over the age of 60 are also urged to be immunized against shingles with the Zoster vaccine.   It is estimated that 1 million Americans get the painful rash and more than half are over the age of 60.  Some people can have serious complications from shingles including severe and lasting pain (post-herpetic neuralgia), pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation or death.

Adults should also get a Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster every 10 years.  Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that can sometimes be mistaken for bronchitis in older adults.  Immunity from the bacteria which causes pertussis wears off over time and so booster shots are necessary, especially among seniors living in close quarters or who are exposed to very young children.  Other vaccines may be recommended based on lifestyle, travel habits, health conditions, age or job. For more information about what vaccines are recommended for you, visit the CDC website by following this link.   Or talk with your doctor about what vaccines you should be getting to protect your health in older age.