by Marty Minchin

Created on: May 23, 2009   Last Updated: May 29, 2009

Many adults are neglecting a key component to protecting themselves against serious diseases, often because they simply don't know that vaccinations are for adults as well as children.

The immunity provided by some childhood vaccines begins to wear off around age 30. Doctors frequently don't talk to their adult patients about vaccinations, so it's important to stay informed of when you need booster shots and which new shots are available that could protect you from diseases.

Each year, thousands of adults die or are hospitalized from diseases that could have been prevented by a vaccine. As people age, they become more vulnerable to serious diseases that begin as common infections, making it imperative that they receive immunizations. Other adults may never have received childhood vaccinations.

Medical experts recommend that adults talk to their doctors about keeping current on vaccinations against these diseases:

Influenza (flu): Flu vaccines are manufactured each year to protect against that season's anticipated strains of flu, so it is recommended that adults get a flu shot annually. Flu shots usually are offered between September and mid-November, and the vaccine is between 70 and 90 percent effective in preventing the flu in people ages 65 and younger.

Prevention rates decrease for people who are older than 65, live in nursing homes or have chronic medical conditions, but the vaccine still wards off the flu in at least 30 percent of this population. Even for those who get the flu, a flu vaccine can lessen the severity of the illness. Millions of people contract the flu each year, and it can cause serious medical complications.

Anyone can receive a flu shot, but it's especially recommended for people ages 50 and older, women who are pregnant, people who live in group care settings, adults who work with children and people with weakened immune systems.

Shingles (Zoster): Many people suffer from chickenpox as children, but they may not know that the virus can manifest itself decades later as shingles. Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash, and doctors recommend that adults 60 years old and older get the shingles vaccine, which became available in 2006. Twenty percent of people who develop shingles suffer from severe, long-lasting pain after the rash heals.

Adults who take immunosuppressive drugs or who have weakened immune systems also may want to get a shingles vaccine.

Pneumococcal: The pneumococcal vaccine protects people against developing an infection

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>