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News & Information

Vaccines Are Not Just for Kids

Release Date: August 01, 2017
Certain vaccines are recommended based on a person's age, occupation, or health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, or heart disease.

(Newton, NJ) All adults should receive vaccines to protect their health. Even healthy adults can become seriously ill and pass certain illnesses on to others. Everyone should have their vaccination needs assessed at their doctor's office, pharmacy, or other visits with healthcare providers. Certain vaccines are recommended based on a person's age, occupation, or health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, or heart disease.

Vaccination protects the person receiving the vaccine and also helps prevent the spread of disease. This is important especially for those who are most vulnerable to serious complications such as infants and young children, elderly, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems.

All adults, including pregnant women, should receive the influenza (flu) vaccine each year to protect against seasonal flu. Every adult should have one dose of Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis or whooping cough) if they did not receive Tdap as a teen. The Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster vaccine should then be given every 10 years. In addition, it is recommended that pregnant women receive the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.

Adults 60 years and older are recommended to receive the shingles vaccine. Adults 65 years and older are recommended to receive one or more pneumococcal vaccines. Some adults younger than 65 years old with certain high risk conditions are also recommended to receive one or more pneumococcal vaccinations.

Adults may need other vaccines, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV, depending on their age, occupation, travel, medical conditions, vaccinations they have already received, or other considerations.

Sussex County Office of Public Health Nursing offers several vaccination clinics and advice on recommended vaccines. Appointments are required.

To learn more about vaccines for adults, talk to your primary care provider and visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/index.html arrow icon. Information can also be obtained by contacting the Sussex County Division of Health, Office of Public Health Nursing at 973-579-0570 or visiting the website at www.sussex.nj.us/nursing.

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