As a part of taking care of your health and protecting those around you, adults should make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Some vaccines are standard for all adults, whereas some are critical for at-risk populations who are more susceptible to serious complications. Making sure that those who work in large companies or who are in school are up-to-date with their vaccinations will help prevent widespread occurrences of influenza and other diseases. Here are some important considerations when looking at the vital inoculations to get for those who go to work or school daily.

Influenza

Everyone should have a seasonal flu vaccine. The vaccination method will be contingent on your age and any health conditions. Most healthy adults can have the flu mist, which is a live virus that is given as a nasal spray. Older adults and those with certain health conditions should have the vaccination, which is a dead virus. The seasonal flu vaccine is critical to manage the spread of influenza and minimize the chance of at-risk population having severe flu-related complications. You may be surprised to know each year, some people are hospitalized or even die from complications associated with the flu. Although being vaccinated against the flu does not guarantee you will not get the flu, if you do, the course is usually less severe than it would be if you were not vaccinated.

Tdap Or Td

If you were never vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, you will need the Tdap vaccine. For adults who previously had their Tdap vaccination, they will need a booster for tetanus and diphtheria (Td) once every 10 years. Boosters for tetanus can be especially critical for people who work in certain fields, such as those at a higher risk of contracting tetanus. People who work in manual labor fields or around animals are more likely to come in contact with tetanus. Since there are increasing cases of pertussis, you should talk with your healthcare professional about whether you still have immunity against pertussis from a childhood booster, and if the Tdap is a better choice.

Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Many adults may be surprised that the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine is not limited to the elderly. Some younger adults have health issues or lifestyle risk factors that make them high risk for contracting pneumococcal pneumonia and should be vaccinated. For example, those with chronic health conditions or people who have a lowered immune system should be vaccinated. People with a lowered immune system are not only those with diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, but people who take medications that lower their immune system. High doses of steroids and medications to help control autoimmune diseases can lower your immune system and make you vulnerable to pneumococcal pneumonia. Another high-risk group is smokers.

Fortunately, many diseases can be reduced or eliminated simply through routine vaccinations. Staying up-to-date on vaccines are important to protect yourself and those around you from diseases that could be potentially life-threatening.