What is Adult Vaccines?

Significant Adult Vaccines

Here is a list of the most significant adult vaccines medical professionals recommend:

TDAP Vaccine
Acronym for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis, TDAP vaccine is recommended for adults who are done with their primary vaccination series.

Who should get it: Everyone, specifically people with a weakened immune system.

Who shouldn’t get it: Individuals who have had seizures.

MMR Vaccine
Acronym for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, this vaccine protects against these extremely contagious diseases. Adults should get one dose of measles and one dose of MMR vaccine or two doses of MMR vaccine.

Who should get it: People who have never had measles and have not received MMR vaccine yet.

Who shouldn’t get it: Pregnant women should not take the MMR vaccine as it is a live vaccine. Also, adults undergoing treatment for cancer, having HIV/AIDS, blood disorder or are immunosuppressed should avoid taking the vaccine.

Varicella Vaccine
Also popular as a chickenpox vaccine, varicella vaccine is now included in the regular list of the adult vaccination program.

Who should get it: All adults who have not received the vaccine or never had chickenpox should get two doses of single-antigen varicella vaccine.

Who shouldn’t get it: Varicella is a live vaccine and so not advised for immunosuppressed people and pregnant women. Individuals having cancer or HIV/AIDS should also avoid raking varicella vaccine.

Herpes Zoster Vaccine
Also called the Shingles vaccine, it protects against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, a condition that causes burning pain after the signs of shingles subsides.

Who should get it: All adult over the age of 50 years should receive the vaccine. People who have had chickenpox and shingles previously can also get the vaccine.

Who shouldn’t get it: Pregnant women and people having a weak immune system should not take the Herpes Zoster vaccine. If you are allergic to antibiotic neomycin or gelatine, avoid receiving the shingles vaccine.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Predominantly called an HOV vaccine, the immunization safeguards an adult from numerous infections that can result in penile cancer in men and vulvar, cervical, and vaginal cancer in women. The infection caused by the HPV virus can also be a reason for anal cancer, throat cancer and genital warts.

Who should get it: Boys and girls are recommended to get HPV vaccine when they are 11 or 12 years old. Men who are sexually active with other men should get this vaccine until they turn 26 years old.

Who shouldn’t get it: Pregnant women and individuals allergic to the vaccine should avoid it.

Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine works against the infections caused by the bacteria, Streptococcus Pneumoniae. Typically, the bacteria causes pneumonia, blood infections, meningitis, and if left untreated, may lead to death.

There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines, such as Pneumococcal 13 (conjugate vaccine with 13 strains) and Pneumococcal 23 (a polysaccharide vaccine with 23 strains).

Who should get it: The pneumococcal vaccine is advised for individuals who are above 50 years of age. People having sickle cell disease, chronic illness, transplanted organs, cochlear implants and a weak immune system should also consider getting the vaccine.

Who shouldn’t get it: Adults allergic to the vaccine should not get it.

Hepatitis A and B Vaccine
Hepatitis A and B vaccine is taken to have protection against any fatal infection caused by these bacteria.

Who should get it: All adults can take this vaccine. If you are someone who travels abroad frequently, you should get the Hepatitis A and B vaccine. Men who are sexually active with other men, people having haemophilia, chronic liver disease, people who use illegal drugs, should also take the vaccine.

Who shouldn’t get it: Adults allergic to Hepatitis A and B vaccine should avoid getting it.

Meningococcal Vaccine
There are two types of meningococcal vaccines, such as the meningococcal conjugate vaccine and meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The vaccine protects against the meningitis infection.

Who should get it: Adults having functional or anatomic asplenia or complement component should take the meningococcal vaccine.

Who shouldn’t get it: Pregnant women or people who have got meningitis in the past.

Influenza Vaccine
It is an annual vaccination that protects against flu.

Who should get it: All adults and even children can get the influenza vaccine.

Who shouldn’t get it: People with a serious, fatal allergic reaction to the influenza vaccine, or the ones who have had Guillen-Barre syndrome or are allergic to eggs should not take the vaccine.

Visit a doctor for a recommendation