Why Vaccines are Necessary Preventive Vaccines

As children, we're all given various routine vaccinations to protect us from infectious diseases. However, many people are unaware that vaccines are still important for adults too. Vaccine-preventable diseases don't stop affecting people once they reach adulthood. Several illnesses can cause severe complications or even death in adults if not immunized.

One reason Preventive Vaccines are necessary after childhood is because immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. For example, tetanus vaccines require 10-year booster shots because the protection they provide decreases gradually as the years go by. Pertussis or whooping cough is also highly contagious and can be life-threatening for babies. Since adults can unknowingly pass it to infants, getting a Tdap booster vaccine is crucial to shield babies.

Certain other diseases are more likely to cause problems in adulthood as well. For instance, the risk of complications from influenza (flu) increases with age. Pneumonia is a major cause of illness and death among older adults, but the pneumococcal vaccines can go a long way in preventing it. Some cancers like liver cancer and cervical cancer are associated with certain viral infections that vaccines can protect against. Even diseases like chickenpox, though usually mild in children, can lead to serious complications or even shingles in adulthood if not immunized.

Vaccines Recommended for Preventive Vaccines

There are several routine vaccines recommended for adults based on age, health conditions, lifestyle, and occupation. Here are some of the key ones:

- Influenza or flu vaccine: This should be taken annually to reduce the risk of catching flu. It's especially important for adults over 65 years, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and those with chronic medical conditions.

- Td/Tdap vaccine: Adults need booster shots of the tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine every 10 years. Pregnant women between 27-36 weeks should get a one-time Tdap booster during each pregnancy.

- HPV vaccine: Both men and women up to 45 years who did not complete the vaccine series as adolescents should get immunized against human papillomavirus to prevent cancers caused by HPV.

- Herpes zoster or shingles vaccine: This is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older to help reduce the risk of developing shingles and related complications later in life.

- Pneumococcal vaccines: Adults aged 65 years and above need one dose of PPSV23. Those with certain medical risks may need PCV13 or an additional dose of PPSV23 based on risk factors.

- Hepatitis A and B vaccines: Adults with risk behaviors or chronic liver conditions may need these vaccines to prevent liver infections and diseases.

Why Adult Vaccination Rates are Low

Despite the clear benefits, vaccination rates remain suboptimal among adults. Some key reasons include:

- Lack of awareness: Many adults aren't fully aware of the vaccines they need as they grow older. They mistakenly think vaccines are just for children or certain medical groups.

- Complacency: Once childhood vaccines are complete, adults become complacent in assuming they're immune for life or low-risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses.

- Safety concerns: There is public mistrust about newer vaccines or misconceptions regarding side effects and safety in adulthood. However, extensive research proves Preventive Vaccines are very safe.

- Cost and access barriers: Financial difficulties or lack of health insurance negatively impact adults getting age-appropriate vaccinations. Access is also limited in rural areas.

- Provider challenges: Busy clinical settings leave limited time for providers to assess individual vaccination needs and address concerns during routine visits.

Improving vaccination rates requires addressing these barriers through education, insurance coverage, easy access, provider training, and reminder systems. Organizations like WHO and CDC continually work on strategies to boost uptake of adult immunization schedules globally.

Importance of Herd Immunity

Beyond protecting themselves individually, getting vaccinated as adults helps in achieving "community" or herd immunity. This occurs when a large portion of the population is immune to an infectious disease, providing indirect protection to the unvaccinated or those who cannot receive vaccines due to age or medical conditions.

For instance, those who receive the flu vaccine each year not only avoid catching flu themselves but also significantly reduce the spread to others. Herd immunity helps shield babies too young for certain vaccines as well as cancer patients or transplant recipients who are immunocompromised and at high-risk from vaccine-preventable diseases. Protecting vulnerable groups requires both individual and community responsibility through high vaccination coverage rates.

It's clear that routine vaccinations throughout the lifespan, from childhood through adulthood, are necessary for personal and public health. While childhood vaccination programs have succeeded in eliminating diseases, continuous immunization effort among adults is equally important to sustain this progress. With education and improved access, more adults recognizing the importance of age-appropriate vaccines and remaining up-to-date on recommended immunizations can significantly boost health outcomes in communities worldwide. Overall vaccination is truly one of modern medicine's top achievements, helping control contagious illnesses globally for generations.

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About Author:

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)