Information about adult immunization

Information About
Adult Immunization

Common Questions About Adult Immunizations and Good Health

What Are Immunizations? 4Immunizations, also called vaccinations
or shots, are a form of medicine made to protect you from diseases that can lead to severe illness, disability and in some cases, death 4These medicines are usually given by injections (shots)
Aren't Immunizations Just For Children? 4No. Immunizations begin at birth and
continue throughout adulthood 4Proper vaccinations are preventive measures
that everyone should practice throughout their life 4It is also important to remember that childhood diseases such as chickenpox, mumps and measles can be a much more serious health threat for adults 4Each year, approximately 5,000 people in the United States die of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver failure. Another 1,500 die from HBV-related liver cancer. HBV infection is the most common cause of liver cancer worldwide and ranks second only to cigarettes as the world's leading cause of cancer

Who Should Be Immunized? 4All adults need to be protected against a
variety of vaccine preventable diseases, which may include influenza, pneumococcal disease, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, chickenpox, measles, mumps, polio and rubella. By getting your vaccines, you are protecting your children, grandchildren and family
Are Immunizations Safe? 4Yes, however, no vaccine is fully without risk 4The chance of getting a disease and suffering
its complications is greater than the chance of problems from the vaccine itself 4It is important to remember that all vaccines are tested many times to ensure their safety
Are There Any Common Side Effects To Immunizations? 4Yes, side effects sometimes occur. They
may include a slight fever, headache, redness or tenderness, and swelling at the site of vaccination for a day or two 4These side effects are mild and may not appear with each immunization 4You should discuss any health concerns you have with your doctor or healthcare provider

When Should I Be Immunized? 4You may need to be immunized with specific
vaccines at different times during your life depending upon your health history, current health status and other existing risk factors 4If you were never immunized or never contracted any of the preventable childhood diseases, you are also at risk and need to be vaccinated 4Getting immunized is important throughout a person's life 4Don't leave your doctor's office without making sure that you have had all the immunizations you need
How Do I Pay For Immunizations? 4Many health insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover
the cost of immunizations 4Both the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B
Where Can I Get Immunized? 4You can get immunizations from your doctor or county health department 4Call your healthcare provider to find out the time and place to get your vaccinations

Vaccinations For Adults

TYPE OF VACCINE

FOR WHOM IT IS RECOMMENDED

Influenza

4All persons 6 months of age with no medical contraindications

Varicella

4Recommended for those who have never had chickenpox

Tetanus, Diphtheria, acellular Pertussis (Tdap)

4Unvaccinated persons 19 years and older 4Unvaccinated adults who have or anticipate having close contract with an infant
aged < 12 months should receive a single dose of Tdap to reduce the risk for transmitting pertussis

Tetanus Diphtheria 4Pregnant women should receive a Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks

(Td)

gestation (late 2nd or 3rd trimester) with each pregnancy

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

4All previously unvaccinated men and women 19 through 26 years of age

Zoster (Shingles)
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

4Recommended for adults 60 years of age and older whether or not they report a prior episode of herpes zoster
4Adults born in 1957 or after, if not previously vaccinated 4Healthcare workers, students or travelers may be required to be vaccinated,
regardless of age

SCHEDULE
4One dose per year, because the flu virus changes from year to year 4October through November is the best time to receive a flu vaccination, but getting a flu
vaccination in December, January or February can still protect you
Two doses: 4First dose now 4Second dose one month later
4If a person hasn't had at least three basic tetanus-diphtheria shots in their lifetime, they need to complete the three dose series which should include one dose of Tdap, preferably the first dose -First dose now -Second dose one month later -Third dose six months after the second dose
4A booster dose of Td should be given every 10 years after completion of the basic series, or earlier if needed for wound management
Three doses: 4First dose now 4Second dose 4 weeks to 8 weeks after first dose 4Third dose six months after first dose and at least 12 weeks after second dose
4One dose
4One dose 4A second dose may be required in some work or school settings, or for travel. If a second
dose is needed, it should be given no sooner than one month after first dose

Pneumococcal (Conjugate vaccine-PCV13) and (Polysaccharide vaccine-PPSV23) Meningococcal
Hepatitis A (Hep A)
Hepatitis B (Hep B)
Travel Vaccines

4Both PCV13 and PPSV23 should be routinely administered in series to all adults 65 years or older.

4PCV13: Adults should get one dose of this vaccine before starting or continuing doses of PPSV23. It is recommended for all adults 65 years or older and adults 19 years or older with certain medical conditions
4PPSV23: Adults should get one, two, or three doses of this vaccine, depending on their age, health condition, and timing of the first dose. It is recommended for all adults 65 years or older, adults 19 years or older with certain health conditions and adults 19 years or older who smoke cigarettes

4First year college students, 19-21 years, living in dormitories 4Travelers to certain parts of Africa and Middle East* 4Adults who do not have a functional spleen or have a weakened immune system*
4Recommended for those who travel to certain areas outside the United States 4People with at risk conditions:*
- People with clotting disorders - Illegal drug users - Men who have sex with men - People with chronic liver disease, including Hepatitis C 4Certain laboratory workers
4Adults with at risk conditions - Household contacts and sexual partners of persons chronically infected with Hepatitis B - Users of illegal drugs - Individuals with more than one sexual partner in six months - Hemodialysis patients - Healthcare workers - Certain international travelers - Diabetics

4One dose 4Booster to age 19-21 year old college student if previous dose given at age younger than
16 years Two doses: 4First dose now 4Second dose 6 months to 12 months
Series of three doses: 4First dose now 4Second dose one month later 4Third dose usually five months after the second dose

4Persons who travel outside the United States may need additional vaccines

4Consult with your healthcare professional about recommended and/or required vaccines

*Consult your healthcare professional to determine your level of risk and need for this vaccine

Adults Need To Be Immunized Against These Diseases

Influenza is a virus that can cause high fever, chills, dry cough, headache, runny nose, sore throat, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain resulting in severe sickness and in some cases, even death.
Pneumococcal Disease is an infection caused by a specific type of bacteria. When the infection attacks the lungs, it results in pneumonia. The symptoms of pneumonia are high fever, cough with chest pain and mucus, shaking chills and shortness of breath.
Hepatitis B causes liver damage, cancer or even death. Hepatitis B can also pass to others even when no symptoms are exhibited. It is spread through sexual intercourse and through sharing needles used for drugs, tattoos or body piercings. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her child during childbirth.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral infection of the liver and is found in the stool of infected people. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea, fatigue, stomach pain, dark urine and appetite loss.
Diphtheria causes a severe throat infection that prevents swallowing or breathing. It can also cause heart failure or paralysis.
Pertussis in adults can cause a cough that lasts for months. Adults can spread this disease to infants and young children. Pertussis in younger ages can be severe and result in death.
Tetanus (lockjaw) results when an open wound becomes infected with tetanus germs, causing muscles to go into spasm.

Measles causes a high fever and rash. It can cause middle ear infections, swelling of the brain and pneumonia.
Mumps causes painful swelling of the cheeks and jaws. It can also cause swelling of the brain or spinal cord membranes.
Rubella (German measles) causes swollen glands and a red rash. In a pregnant woman, it can harm the unborn baby.
Varicella (chickenpox) can cause serious health problems such as skin infections, pneumonia and in rare cases, brain swelling.
Meningococcal Disease is caused by bacteria that infects the spinal cord, brain or bloodstream.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. Most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. HPV immunization is important because HPV can cause cervical cancer in women (and young girls) and genital warts in both men and women. Herpes Zoster (shingles) is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. The rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from 2 weeks to 4 weeks. The main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe but can also cause fever, headache, chills and upset stomach.
Form 3110 (Rev. 2.15)

Diseases Attack Millions of Adults Each Year
4Each year in the United States, on average 50,000 adults die from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications
4Pneumonia and influenza together are among the leading causes of death among adults over age 65 in the United States
4An estimated 36,000 people in the United States die each year from influenza-related complications. More than 90 percent of deaths occur in persons 65 and older
4In the United States an estimated 1.25 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus and can infect household members and sexual partners
4Hepatitis A is 1,000 times more common than cholera and 100 times more common than typhoid among international travelers
4There are about 1 million cases of shingles diagnosed annually in the United States, and about half of the cases are in those 60 years of age and older
4At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire human papillomavirus (HPV) infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year
4In the United States, as many as 7 million women of childbearing age are susceptible to rubella which can lead to birth defects such as deafness, cataracts, and mental retardation
4Almost one third of reported pertussis cases are in adults
For more information visit the Georgia Immunization Program website http://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section or call 404-657-3158
*All facts and statistics are from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases