MORGANTOWN — It’s not just infants and children who need regular vaccinations.
There are vaccines adults should receive, too.
Influenza and pneumonia can cause respiratory symptoms and fatigue.
Having chickenpox puts people at risk for shingles, a painful disease that causes skin blisters.
Anyone who spends time with grandchildren or other youngsters should protect them by getting a Tdap vaccine. This also will cover individuals for tetanus and diphtheria. These should be administered every 10 years.
Risks of getting flu, pneumonia and shingles increase with age.
Now is the time for senior citizens to get flu vaccines.
At the same time, they should consider getting inoculated for Tdap, shingles and pneumonia.
All adults, including seniors, should get a seasonal flu shot, according to Jennifer Goldcamp, director of nursing for Monongalia County Health Department’s Clinical Services program. People can get these vaccines from health care providers or at MCHD Clinical Services, by appointment.
“For seniors 65 and older, the high-strength flu shot is better because it helps protect older adults against the flu,” Goldcamp said. “Sixty percent of the hospitalizations for flu are seniors 65 and older.”
The high-dose flu vaccine contains four times the antigen as the regular shot. This provides a better immune response so senior citizens have a higher probability of avoiding flu, Goldcamp said.
“Just about anyone can get a flu shot,” added Goldcamp, who said people with allergies to eggs should discuss this with their health care providers.
Every adult should have a Tdap vaccination (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) every 10 years, Goldcamp said. Tdap vaccine is given to protect newborn babies against pertussis, or whooping cough. Pertussis causes severe coughing spells that can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting and disturbed sleep. It is especially important for anyone having close contact with babies younger than 12 months, she said.
In addition to getting the Tdap vaccine, “If you are around pregnant women or babies, protect them by covering your mouth if you cough.” That advice is good for anyone, she added, noting people should avoid coughing or sneezing into their hands so they do not spread germs.
Shingles
In addition to being painful, shingles can cause complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN.
This is severe pain in the area where someone had the shingles rash even after the rash is gone, said Goldcamp, who noted that healthy adults ages 50 and older should get the shingles vaccine.
“One out of every three individuals will get shingles in their lifetime. This number increases with age.”
The established Zostavax shingles vaccine reduces the chance of getting shingles by 51 percent and the chance of developing PHN by 67 percent, according to the CDC. However, a new vaccine called Shingrix was approved last year. It has much higher rates of preventing shingles, about 95 percent, although that drops to about 85 percent for people 70 years and older, four years after the vaccination. Shingrix is two doses administered two to six months apart.
“We’re excited about this new shingles vaccine and look forward to getting it here at Monongalia County Health Department,” Goldcamp said.
Pneumococcal
Another set of vaccines seniors 65 and older should consider is the pneumococcal vaccine, which comes in two types given one year apart, Pneumovax 23 and Prevnar, Goldcamp said. This protects against infections in the lungs and bloodstream, Goldcamp added.
To make an appointment to get vaccinations at MCHD Clinical Services, call 304-598-5119.
More information about vaccinations, including how they are pertinent to people with diabetes and other health conditions can be found on the CDC website at cdc.gov/vaccines/adults
/rec-vac/health-conditions/diabetes.html.
“While just about everyone above the age of 6 months should get a flu vaccine, it’s especially important for older people and those with certain health conditions that compromise the immune system,” Goldcamp said.
Tweet @DominionPostWV. Email newsroom@dominionpost.com.
