Vaccines: The 'Fix and Forget' Process
By Chuck Kelly, compounding pharmacist
Vaccines protect us against numerous preventable diseases, promote good health and reduce the risk of mortality and morbidity. Numerous potentially fatal diseases have been eradicated in the northern hemisphere because effective vaccines have been used to protect us. Vaccines help eliminate the disease by preventing transmission to the general population.
Smallpox and polio are excellent examples of diseases that no longer exist in North America. The smallpox vaccine is no longer being used. The polio vaccine, however, is still being administered to assure protection against imported infections.
From several months after birth to early adulthood, people need to be vaccinated against a multitude of diseases. As adults, we are less concerned with vaccinations, and run the risk of acquiring some of the diseases that we were previously vaccinated for. There are also diseases of adulthood where vaccination should be considered. In some cases we may need boosters to recharge our immunity. A "catch-up" program can assure continued immunity against these infections.
It can be important to have a booster containing tetanus toxoid, perhaps in combination with diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Measles still exists, and pertussis is back. There are other considerations that the adult population should keep in mind. A shingles vaccine helps prevent against an outbreak of this debilitating condition. The vaccine is given under the skin, and in many states can be given right at your pharmacy with a physician’s order. Shingles vaccine is recommended for people over 60 years of age.
Pneumonia is quite dangerous for the aging population, and pneumococcal vaccine is highly recommended after age 65. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended when risk factors are present, such as having unprotected sex with someone who has the disease and/or IV drug use. An influenza vaccine (a flu shot) should be given every year. It is the simplest of all vaccines to have administered. In the early fall there are flu clinics everywhere. Stop in and get your shot. Who wants the flu for Christmas!
Take it upon yourself to discuss a catch-up schedule with your healthcare provider for the routine vaccines that you may need. Also take the opportunity to discuss the vaccines that you might need for your age or occupation. If you travel to foreign countries, I would highly recommend researching the need for specialized vaccines used abroad. Have a vaccine discussion with your doctor next time you see him or her.
You are your best advocate. Eat well, exercise, and be proactive with your health. In my opinion, immunization is a fix and forget process.
