The guidelines for keeping up to date with your adult vaccinations can change over time. At Zion Urgent Care we can help you determine what boosters or new vaccinations you need to stay healthy all through your life. Here is up to date information on what you may need.
Measles
Some people do need to be vaccinated for measles as adults. Recent measles outbreaks have caused people to wonder whether they are protected by shots they had as children. “Measles vaccines became available in 1963. If you got the standard two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine after 1967, you should be protected against the measles for life.” However, if you did not receive both doses or if you were born before 1957, you might need another measles shot.
Shingles
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. The virus is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus can reappear as shingles.
According to the CDC, “Almost 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. Your risk of shingles increases as you grow older. Additionally, over 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in people 65 years and older. “
Tdap
Most people were immunized against pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria as kids. However the CDC recommends that every adult, “get the Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years. In addition, women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.”
Other common adult vaccinations include HPV, influenza, meningitis and Pneumococcal vaccines. However, this is not an exhaustive list. Please see your medical provider at Zion Urgent Care for your own personal recommendations. Call or text us at 832.447.6454, and remember, you don’t need to make an appointment!
