November 15, 2003
by Deborah Burnard, RN, YKHC Immunization Program
Most people know that babies and school-age children need immunizations to protect against diseases like measles and whooping cough. But many of those people don't realize that adults need shots, too. Each year in the United States, more than 30,000 adults die from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications. Pneumonia and influenza together, for example, are the fifth leading cause of death among older adults.
But it's not just elders who are at risk...adults with certain health conditions, including diabetes and heart, lung and kidney conditions need these vaccines, too. Also, more than half the people living in the U.S. over the age of 50 are not fully immunized against tetanus and diphtheria. Remember, being immunized against these diseases helps protect you and those around you!
Adult Immunization FactsDid you know that...?
- As you get older, your immune system becomes less active. Immunizations can help your body fight off infections.
- Tetanus can live for months and years in soil, dust and animal feces, even in a very cold climate, so you need a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster every 10 years throughout your life. If you have never completed the basic three-dose series, talk to your doctor, nurse or health aide about completing the series.
- Varicella (chicken pox) is a common childhood disease. It is usually mild, but it can be serious in adults. 100 people a year in the United States die from complications of the chicken pox. If you have not had chicken pox, you should get vaccinated.
- Hepatitis A and B can cause serious liver disease. People living in the YK Delta, health workers, family members of Hepatitis B carriers, and infants of mothers who carry Hepatitis B are especially at risk.
- According to the American Society of Internal Medicine, "the flu and pneumonia kill thousands of people in this country every year even though there are safe and effective vaccines for both diseases." You can protect yourself by getting an influenza vaccine every year and a booster for pneumococcal disease every six years.
- If you will be in your second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season (usually November through May), talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot to protect your health during pregnancy.
- If you are planning on international travel, ask your health care provider to suggest any special vaccines you may need to protect you.
Please call your village health clinic and make an appointment to get any immunizations you need. In Bethel, you can make an appointment by calling 543- 6442. Your appointment will take less than half an hour.
For questions or concerns, or if you have a hard time making an appointment at the clinic, please call the Immunization Program at 907-543-6437 or 1-800-478- 4471.
Information adapted with permission from Community Health Improvements Partners. http://www.sdchip.org/pdfs/adultmessage2002.pdf
Back to Messenger 11-03 Contents