HealthLink Littauer’s

WELLNESS WORDS

Submitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BS

Community Health Educator

ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS

Many think of vaccinations as something for children but it’s not just kids stuff. All adults, including those age 50 and older need vaccines. Some of the adult vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have changed recently. So even if you think you are up-to-date on your vaccines, you should review the following information.

FLU VACCINE

Flu kills about 36,000 people in theUSevery year and older Americans are among the most vulnerable to this disease. Because each year’s vaccine is made to combat that season’s strain of flu, you need a dose every year. Flu shots are given during the September-to-March flu season. Remember, you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.

PNEUMONIA VACCINE

Everyone age 65 and older needs to have the vaccine once. You may need a second dose if you are 65+ and you had your first dose when you were younger than 65 and it has been 5 or more years since the first dose.

SHINGLES VACCINE

This vaccine is now recommended for everyone over age 60, regardless of whether you have had a prior episode of shingles. Shingles is especially painful in older adults. Some experts have recommended only getting this vaccine if you have had chicken pox. However, the CDC recommends everyone over 60 get vaccinated because more than 99% of people over age 40 have had chicken pox, even if they don’t recall having the disease.

TETANUS, DIPTHERIA, PERTUSSIS (Td, Tdap)

Recently, we have heard a lot about increases in the number of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) cases. The latest CDC guidelines suggest that any adult who is going to be near infants under age 1 should have one booster shot of tetanus, diphtheria and (whooping cough). If you have never had a vaccine that included Pertussis, the recommendation is for you to have at least one dose at your next medical visit. Thereafter, you should have a booster of tetanus and diphtheria at least every 10 years. If you have a deep puncture wound you should contact your doctor to see if you need to have another tetanus shot.

MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA (MMR)

People born before 1957 generally are considered immune to measles and mumps because they are likely to have had these diseases as a child. However, if you are uncertain of whether you have either had the condition or had the vaccine ask your physician if you should have one dose.

OTHER VACCINES

You may also need vaccines for such conditions as Hepatitis A and/or B and Meningitis if you have certain medical conditions or you are going to travel outside the U.S. Contact your physician to determine your level of risk for infection and possible need for any of these vaccines.

Remember, vaccines are important to keep yourself and those around you safe from some of the most debilitating and deadly, but preventable diseases!

For more information on immunizations, contact the CDC (cdc.gov), your local health department or healthcare provider, or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.