Adult Health Promoted Through Vaccination As National Immunization Awareness Month Concludes

Hartford-In recognition of National Immunization Awareness month (NIAM), the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reminds the public that immunizations provide critical health protection throughout the lifespan from infancy though adulthood. Immunizations are one of the greatest public health accomplishments of the 20th century and are a safe, effective way to protect people from many life threatening diseases.

“Adults need to be protected against diseases like flu, whooping cough, tetanus, shingles and pneumococcus. The truth is that you never outgrow the need for immunizations to protect your health” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino.

Adults should know their vaccination history and be aware of recommended vaccines and boosters as they age. Adults can have their vaccination needs assessed by a health care professional.

Increasing domestic and international travel by the general public and emerging infectious diseases worldwide affirms the needs for all individuals to keep their vaccinations up to date to ensure protection. Those expected to travel should consult the CDC traveler website to identify specific vaccination recommendations.

For the general public, the adult vaccines schedule is based on a person’s age, occupation or health:

• Adults should get a flu vaccine every year to protect against seasonal flu.
• Adults should get one dose of Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) if they did not get Tdap as a teen, and then receive a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster vaccine every 10 years.
• Adults 50 years of age and older should get the shingles vaccine.
• Adults 65 years of age and older and some younger adults with certain medical conditions should get pneumococcal vaccines.
• Adults may need other vaccines (such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV) depending on their age, occupation, medical conditions, vaccinations they have already received or other considerations such as international travel.

Visit vaccinefinder.org to help find a vaccine provider near you. For more information visit www.ct.gov/dph/immunizations or call (860)509-7929.