Adult Immunizations: It’s Never Too Late

An important part of primary care involves preventing potentially fatal illnesses through vaccinations. Today, fewer than 500 children die every year from diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. Children are vaccinated against everything from rubella to measles to diphtheria. However, not everyone was vaccinated as a child. Whether or not you have ever received immunizations, it is not too late to get them now. Read on to learn more about this potentially life-saving preventative care.

Benefits of immunizations

There are many reasons that individuals should consider getting immunizations, no matter what their age is. For example, even if patients are otherwise healthy, there are some risk factors that can increase the likelihood of certain diseases. These may include the patient’s job, health conditions and types of travel or lifestyle.

Another reason to get immunizations is to protect others from getting diseases. Some people may not be able to receive immunizations because of health conditions or age. Others may have weak immune systems, making diseases potentially deadly for them. When patients get vaccines, they will be less likely to spread the disease to this vulnerable population.

Recommended immunizations from a primary care provider

Today, about 50,000 to 70,000 adults die every year from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This number could be reduced if these individuals had had vaccinations. There are several immunizations that adults should get from a primary care provider, especially if the adults have never gotten vaccinations before. These include:

• Influenza: also known as the “flu shot,” every adult should get this each winter or fall. This will protect not only the individual from influenza but also weaker people around them
• Measles and mumps: people who were born in 1957 or later should receive these vaccines
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): every woman who is 26 or younger, and every man who is 21 or younger should get this vaccine. Generally, the doctor will give this vaccine as three doses over about six months
• Pneumococcal: individuals who are over the age of 65 should get this vaccination. This is especially true for individuals who have not had both pneumococcal vaccines in the past. Certain health conditions, such as heart or lung conditions, make it more likely that an individual will need more vaccinations
• Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough: if a patient has never gotten these vaccinations, it is important to visit a primary care provider to get them. Women will need these shots during pregnancy as well

Visit a primary care physician today

Whether you have had vaccinations as a child or you have never had vaccinations, it is important to be immunized. If you had vaccinations as a child, you will still need to receive some booster shots. There are many types of immunizations that individuals will need to get as adults. If you have never been immunized, you can still get them now. Visiting a primary care provider will help you take the next step in managing your health.

Call us today at (832) 941-1894 for more information from Texas Urgent Care & Imaging Center.

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