Friendly Reminder From The CBC: Grown-ups need vaccines too

[HuckleB]

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/blog/grown-ups-need-vaccines-too-1.3519800

"Debates and discussions around booster vaccinations usually focus on infants or children. But grown-ups should be rolling up their sleeves,too. Unfortunately, far too few adults are getting booster shots.

There are several reasons why not. Adult immunization hasn't been on the radar screen. When we talk only about vaccines in kids, we may be sending the message that it's not important for adults. Some doctors don't mention boosters to their patients. Some health professionals don't know which vaccines to recommend and how often. Adults don't get the same coordinated immunization programs that kids get.

Annual physicals used to be a good for figuring out what shots you need. But some provinces no longer pay for them. Do you have an up-to-date record of immunization? It's hard to know where to begin without one. And let's not forget cost. It's easier to roll up your sleeve when the province pays. The out of pocket cost of herpes zoster and human papillomavirus vaccines may be prohibitive. Some adults may believe those who say vaccines are unsafe.

Everyone needs a tetanus and diphtheria booster every ten years. Adults born after 1970 who weren't immunized need to get one shot of measles, mumps and rubella or MMR vaccine. For whooping cough, adults 18 years and older need one dose of acelluar pertussis-containing vaccine (found in Tdap). As for polio, most Canadians are immune, but non-immunized adults should get the full series of shots.

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