Adult Vaccines Most People Forget (But Really Shouldn’t)

Besides flu shots or an occasional booster, most people get their foundational vaccines as kids. It makes sense, especially with grade school and college vaccination requirements. Adult vaccines can often be forgotten. Something a lot of adults don’t realize is that some vaccines wear off over time, recommendations changed over the years, or some shots that are now widely advised weren’t available when they were growing up. The result is that a surprising number of otherwise healthy adults are quietly behind on immunizations they didn’t even know they needed.

At The Shot Nurse, we believe in getting the protection you need at all life stages, and knowing what you missed out on certainly helps! Our team of nurses is here to help you figure out where you stand and get you caught up quickly, conveniently, and with no appointment necessary. Here are four vaccines that adults most commonly overlook.

Important Vaccines For Adults

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis)

Most adults had the childhood version of this vaccine, but immunity doesn’t last forever. The CDC recommends a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years, and many people are long overdue without knowing it.

Tetanus usually gets the most attention (usually prompted by a rusty nail or a deep cut), but pertussis is actually the one worth paying the most attention to right now. Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is making a comeback across the country. It’s miserable for adults, but it can be dangerous (even life-threatening) for infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated themselves.

If you’re planning to become pregnant, or spend time around babies and young children, this one moves to the top of the priority list. A quick stop at either of our Mid-South locations is all it takes to get up to date.

Pneumonia (Pneumococcal Vaccine)

Pneumonia vaccines are often thought of as something only elderly adults need to worry about, but that’s not the full story. The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults 50 and older, as well as for adults 19-49 who have certain underlying health conditions, including:

• Chronic heart disease
• Lung disease
• Diabetes
• History of smoking

There are also a few different pneumococcal vaccine options, and depending on your age and health history, your healthcare provider can help you figure out which one (or which combination) applies to you. 

HPV (Gardasil 9)

HPV vaccination was largely associated with preteens and teenagers for years, which means a large portion of adults either missed it entirely or only received older, less comprehensive versions.

The CDC recommends Gardasil 9 for all adults through age 26, and for adults between 27 and 45, vaccination may still be appropriate based on a conversation with your healthcare provider. If you didn’t get it as a teenager, or didn’t complete the full series, it’s worth asking about. Gardasil 9 protects against several strains of HPV that are directly linked to cervical, throat, anal, and other cancers. 

Hepatitis A & B

Hepatitis vaccines are frequently missed in adults because they weren’t part of the standard childhood schedule until roughly the 1990s. If you were born before then, there’s a chance you were never vaccinated.

Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water, making it especially relevant for anyone who travels internationally or works in the food service industry. Hepatitis B spreads through blood and bodily fluids and is a leading cause of liver disease and liver cancer worldwide. Both are preventable with a simple vaccine series.

Not Sure Where You Stand? We Can Help!

If you’re not sure which of these you’ve had, or when, you’re not alone. Vaccine records from childhood can be hard to track down, and it’s easy to lose track of boosters as an adult. The good news is that getting caught up is simpler than you might think.

At The Shot Nurse, we offer immunizations for work, school, travel, and everyday health at our two convenient Mid-South locations. Walk right in and our team will help you figure out exactly what you need. We’re here to make staying healthy easy, accessible, and personal. When it comes to your health, you deserve protection with a personal touch.