Vikram Hospital, a quaternary care and multi-specialty facility has now emphasised the urgent need to encourage the importance of vaccination in adults. It went on to unveil the ‘Vaccinate & Save Lives’ initiative and provide a guideline for adult vaccination.

Vaccination in adults is recommended to prevent typhoid fever, hepatitis A & B, flu (including H1N1), pneumonia and human papillomavirus (HPV).

The specific immunisations are essential for adults as per the age, lifestyle, health conditions, travel, and previous immunisations. These cover seasonal influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis or whooping cough for those who have taken a received a Tdap vaccine. Other vaccines are to protect against hepatitis A, meningococcal disease, chickenpox and measles, mumps, and rubella. Besides shingles for 60 years and older, pneumococcal for 65 years and older and adults with risk conditions. To determine the type of vaccines required one should consult their healthcare providers who can guide with the list of vaccine, said Sudhir Pai, executive director & chief executive officer, Vikram Hospital.

Dr. K. N. Manjunath, consultant internal medicine & geriatrics, Vikram Hospital said, “Vaccines and recommendations may change over the years and certain vaccines may not have been given during childhood. As we get older, we might also be at an increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases due to our age, job, lifestyle, travel, or chronic health conditions.”

“Adults of 65 years of age or older, and those aged between 2 and 64 years who have diabetes or chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disorders need protection against pneumococcal disease, and should consult their healthcare providers regarding its vaccine”.

Vaccination can save lives because it prevent many deadly diseases. It is also very important to make sure that adult immunisations are up-to-date for expecting mothers or those planning to conceive.

In India the concept of adult vaccination is relatively new. Awareness about the availability of these vaccines is low. People ensure timely vaccinations for their babies and do not bother to get themselves vaccinated, said Pai.

“Staying healthy is a priority and especially critical for those with chronic conditions. The decisions taken today can save lives and improve quality of health in old age. Vaccination is a simple thing which can be done to prevent diseases,” he added.