Time to think about vaccinations again

Vaccinations are usually associated with young children or travelling overseas, but immunisations given to adults when they were children can wear off and leave adults exposed to debilitating illnesses. In the latest edition of Medicines Talk, the National Prescribing Service (NPS) urges parents and grandparents to discuss their own vaccination needs with their doctors when taking children to get their shots.

"The need for vaccinations is not confined to children," NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes said. "People aged over 50 may benefit from being vaccinated against diseases like flu, pneumococcal disease, and shingles. They may also benefit from having boosters of vaccinations [for diseases] like hepatitis, whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria which may have lost their efficacy."

Vaccinations not only protect us from infectious diseases that can cause illness, disability, and death, but they also protect the community as a whole by reducing the number of people who contract these diseases and pass them on.

"The most beneficial vaccinations for you will depend on your age, health, and lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about what you may need to have and how frequently they should be taken - for some, it's every year, [while] for others it might be every ten years. Keep a record somewhere and ensure you follow up when it's time," Dr Weekes said.

It is particularly important that those at higher risk of some illnesses keep their vaccinations up-to-date. These include:

• people aged over 60;
• people who smoke or are overweight;
• people with an existing chronic disease or compromised immune system; and
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

For more information about vaccinations, read the latest issue of Medicines Talk.

HealthInsite has a topic area on Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases.

Created on 11 February 2010.