Every year, tens of thousands of adults in the United States suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, or even die from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccination. Arizona has had 22 cases of measles in adults this year, making it the biggest measles outbreak of 2016 in the US.
To celebrate the importance of immunizations throughout life—and to help remind adults that they need vaccines, too—we are recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure adults are protected against diseases like flu, whooping cough, tetanus, shingles and pneumococcal disease.
The specific vaccines that adults need are determined by factors such as age, lifestyle, risk conditions, locations of travel, and previous vaccines. Not sure what vaccines you may need? The CDC offers a short quiz to help you figure it out. All adults should talk to their healthcare professional to make sure they are up-to-date on vaccines recommended for them.
The good news is that getting vaccinated is easier than you think. Adults can get vaccinated at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, workplaces, health clinics and health departments. Go online to find a vaccine provider near you.
I had mine updated before getting permission to work in the hospital in 2010. While my measles and rubella were fine, my mumps titres were low. I got the shot.