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Before you were even aware of it, your parents likely arranged for some very important vaccinations during the first two years of your life. These simple immunizations have safeguarded you against many potentially dangerous diseases, such as whooping cough and polio. But your protection isn’t complete.
Some of these vaccinations need boosters, and there are other dangers that you should protect yourself against as an adult.
At Medinet Family Care Clinic in Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, our team caters to the medical needs of the entire family. As part of our efforts, we believe in solid preventive practices that help you avoid many diseases and illnesses from developing in the first place. And vaccinations play a very important role in these efforts — for both children and adults.
To that end, here’s a look at the vaccinations and boosters every adult should have.
While many of the vaccinations we give to toddlers provide a lifetime of protection, some require a booster to keep up defenses. More specifically, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults should receive the Td vaccine, to protect against tetanus and diphtheria, every 10 years.
If you didn’t receive the Tdap vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis as a child, you should make this immunization a priority as an adult. We especially recommend that women get the Tdap vaccine for every pregnancy, usually between 27 and 36 weeks.
Another great tool in your preventive care arsenal is the annual flu shot, which the CDC recommends for everyone from the age of 6 months on. Influenza is a moving target that’s constantly changing, and there are global efforts that track the virus, which is how a new vaccine is created each year.
We recommend that you come in each fall for your annual flu shot, which can offer up to 60% protection against the misery of the flu during the winter season.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection — and one that we can protect against. There’s an HPV vaccine for adolescents that provides great protection, but young adults up to the age of 26 can still benefit from this immunization, which can also help prevent certain cancers.
As well, if you fall under certain risk categories sexually, we can offer you some additional protection against diseases like hepatitis B.
As you grow older, you need some reinforcements for your immune system to prevent conditions like shingles or pneumonia from wreaking havoc. For adults over the age of 50, we recommend the two-part Shingrix to prevent shingles.
For adults over the age of 65, there are two pneumococcal vaccines that can help protect you from a serious respiratory infection.
To learn more about which vaccines and boosters are appropriate for you as an adult, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment online or over the phone with Medinet Family Care Clinic today.
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