Q: I'm older than 65; do I still need immunizations?
A: Yes. Some diseases, such as the flu, become more dangerous when you're an older adult. That's why it's important to keep up with immunizations.
Vaccines recommended for older adults include:
- Flu: yearly
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV): one shot, unless you've already been vaccinated
- Tdap orTd: once every 10 years
- Zoster (shingles): once after age 60
Talk with your doctor and Good Neighbor Pharmacy pharmacist about the vaccination schedule that's right for you.
Q: I've heard that whooping cough is on the rise. What is whooping cough, and how can I protect myself?
A: Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious disease that can cause coughing fits over a period of weeks. The coughing may become so violent that it leads to tiredness, throwing up and a loud "whooping" sound as you draw in breath afterward. In adults who have been vaccinated, however, the illness tends to be milder.
The highest risk is for the littlest patients. In babies, whooping cough can lead to pneumonia, convulsions or even death. More than half of babies under a year old who get whooping cough need to be hospitalized.
To protect yourself and your family, make sure your whooping cough vaccination is up to date. This is especially important for adults who are around or have close contact with infants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adults get a onetime booster shot called Tdap (for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis). If you haven't gotten yours yet, talk with your doctor or the pharmacist at your Good Neighbor Pharmacy.
Q: My child is heading to college. What vaccinations should I make sure she has before she leaves?
A: Leaving home, starting college, beginning a new life — there are lots of changes during young adulthood. Some of these transitions increase the risk for certain illnesses.
Doctors recommend that young adults get:
- One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine, to protect against meningitis for students living in dorms or other group situations
- Tdap, varicella, HPV and MMR vaccines, if they don't have evidence of getting these shots in childhood
- A yearly flu shot
Are you or your child studying abroad or visiting another country on vacation? Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other shots that may help protect against diseases common to your destination.
Source: Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, August 2013
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