RWJ Hospital: Health Tip Of The Month
Update on Adult Vaccinations – Not Just Kids’ Stuff
We are all familiar with the idea of getting children vaccinated for measles or polio.But, there are many vaccinations that are recommended for adults to prevent disease.Some of the recent updates include:
Tdap instead of Td
Standard recommendations have advised adults to get tetanus/diphtheria (Td) booster every 10 years.Tetanus is an illness caused by infected wounds.However, pertussis (Whooping cough) is resurfacing as a problem.Therefore, it is recommended that in adults under 65 years of age who are 1.) Postpartum women, 2.) In contact with children 12 months, or 3.) Healthcare providers with direct patient contact, a one-time dose of Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) replace the standard Td booster.
Flu vaccine
Annual influenza vaccination is now recommended for all persons six months or older:
Shingles
The virus that causes Shingles (also known as Zoster) is reactivation of the varicella or Chicken Pox Virus.This can be a very painful condition.Adults ages 60 and older are recommended to get the one-time vaccine to prevent reactivation of the virus.
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital