You are reading an archived post.
To visit the home page click here.
Vaccines aren't just for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults need to get their shots, too.
The shots that we're missing?
If you had chicken pox as a kid, you need to get vaccinated for shingles. My father-in-law had it last year and it was incredibly painful for him. Apparently that wonderful chicken pox virus hibernates in your body and then erupts as an excruciating rash later in life. People in their 60s are most at risk.
Also, did you know that the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine we all got as kids has worn off? It's time for a new one. My doctor told me she's seeing a lot more kids with whooping cough these days and it can be deadly to little babies. Jason and I got our shots earlier this year. The pertussis shot is included with the diptheria and and tetanus, called Tdap, which is a shot we're supposed to get every 10 years.
Finally, that cervical cancer immunization. I've seen ads for it on television and figured it was just another one of those drugs that companies advertise to make you think you need it. Well, according to the CDC, women may actually need it. The shot protects against HPV, the sexually transmitted virus that causes some forms of cervical cancer. I probably don't need this one since I'm not in the key age group of 11-26, according to the Mayo Clinic.
*Even if you don't have kids, but you're around them (your friends or relatives), you should get the first two vaccines (and a flu shot). You're not only protecting yourself, but you're protecting kids as well. And, don't you love these kids enough to get stuck in the arm?!?
I agree, adult vaccines get overlooked and I recommend the Tdap and flu shot as well for anyone with little kids. However, the zostavax (shingles vaccine) is expensive, and right now we (in our practice) are only giving it to people over the age of 60 since that is the population most affected (plus the FDA has only approved it for administration in people ages 60-69 -- just FYI in case you go to the doctor and ask for Shingles vaccine and they look at you funny because you're 30).
Also, I've had a couple of patients recommend The Vaccine Book by Robert Sears (son of the famed doctor), it came out a few months ago and I plan to read it because, like Jennie, I answer a LOT of questions about infant vaccines. If any people out there have read it I would be interested to hear how they liked it. (it's supposed to be an unbiased view and I'm curious if people feel that is the case).
The comments to this entry are closed.
Get the Mother Popper: Podcast -- Free in iTunes!
a Delta Park Project - © 2007-2008 Anna Johns - Contact Me
Subscribe to my blog (RSS) | Free Podcast in iTunes
Podcasts produced by Morley Studios.
Anna Johns is a blogger, podcaster and mother living in rainy Portland, Oregon.
Mother Popper is a daily blog and weekly podcast bridging the worlds of parenting and pop culture.
Anna,
I love that you have chosen to blog about vaccines. I find that I spend a good portion of my time educating my patients about vaccines. There's so much myth and controversy that surrounds them. There are also new ones and new recommendations that come out all the time, so it's important to keep informed. Thanks!