Which vaccinations are particularly important for adults?
June 29, 2023 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Marcus Schneider
Dear Sir or Madam,
my name is Hanna Höfer and I am 34 years old. Lately, I have been increasingly interested in the topic of vaccinations for adults and I am unsure which vaccinations are particularly important for me personally.
I am aware that vaccinations are not only important for children, but can also provide crucial protection for adults. However, I have not received any vaccinations in recent years and now I am wondering if I might need to catch up on some vaccinations or get booster shots.
My concerns mainly revolve around the possibility that I may be more susceptible to certain diseases due to lack of vaccination protection, thus increasing my overall health risk. I want to ensure that I am optimally protected and not taking any unnecessary risks.
Therefore, my question is: Which vaccinations are particularly important for me as an adult woman and which vaccinations should I consider to refresh or complete my vaccination protection? Are there specific vaccinations that are especially relevant for my age or life circumstances?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with specific recommendations on this matter so that I can ensure that my vaccination protection is optimal and I am best protected against diseases.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Hanna Höfer
Dear Mrs. Höfer,
Thank you for your question regarding vaccinations for adults. It is very understandable that you are concerned about your vaccination protection and want to ensure that you are best protected against diseases. It is indeed important for adults to keep an eye on their vaccination status and, if necessary, get booster shots.
As a 34-year-old woman, there are some vaccinations that are particularly important for you to optimize your vaccination protection. First and foremost, you should ensure that your tetanus and diphtheria vaccination protection is up to date. These vaccinations are usually recommended every 10 years. A vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) is also recommended, as this disease can be more severe in adults.
Furthermore, you should check if you are adequately protected against measles, mumps, and rubella. Especially women of childbearing age should make sure they have sufficient protection against rubella to avoid possible complications during pregnancy.
For women in your age group, the HPV vaccination is also recommended to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. This vaccination can be given up to the age of 45.
Depending on your circumstances and individual risk factors, other vaccinations may also be advisable. For example, a vaccination against influenza (flu), especially if you have a lot of contact with other people in your profession or belong to a high-risk group. A vaccination against hepatitis A and B may also be recommended in certain cases, such as when traveling to countries with a higher risk of infection.
It is important to discuss your vaccination status with your primary care physician or an internal medicine specialist and together decide which vaccinations are personally relevant for you. Your doctor can also provide you with a vaccination record in which all vaccinations are documented, and regularly inform you about necessary booster shots.
I hope that these recommendations have been helpful to you and wish you all the best for your health.
Best regards,
Marcus Schneider, Specialist in Internal Medicine
