Important Health Information & Reminders

Posted on July 16, 2019

Adult Vaccines: 7 Reasons to Roll Up Your Sleeve

Shots aren’t just for kids. Check out this list of reasons why you shouldn’t skimp on adult vaccinations.

1. Your age could put you at risk for a preventable disease. For example, shingles and pneumonia shots are recommended for people in their 60s. You could be at risk for other diseases, too, because of chronic health conditions you may have, such as asthma or diabetes.
2. Vaccine protection fades over time. Just because you had a shot years ago doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear. For instance, adults need a booster to renew protection against tetanus every 10 years. And you need a new flu shot every year.
3. Your loved ones depend on you being immunized. Vaccines don’t just help protect you; some also help protect the people around you, including children and older adults, who could get very sick from illnesses you pass along (like whooping cough or the flu).
4. You could get very sick yourself. Every year, thousands of adults get sick from vaccine-preventable diseases. And each year, some people are hospitalized or even die from those diseases.
5. You’re a world traveler. Heading overseas? Some vaccinations are recommended before traveling to certain countries.
6. Not getting immunized could cost you time and money—especially if you get sick or have to be hospitalized from the flu or another illness that is preventable. On the other hand, many immunizations are covered by your Medicare Advantage plan.
7. Immunizations are safe. Most side effects, if they happen at all, are mild and go away on their own. Vaccines also will not give you the disease they are designed to prevent.

Be sure to ask your doctor at your next visit which immunizations you might need.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

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