Know the vaccines needed in Adults (Recommendations of the National Advisory committee on Immunization practices & CDC 5/17/1998 - latest update as of recheck on 4/5/01)

Vaccinations recommended for adults: (If they are not allergic to them)

Adults should receive the following immunizations :

Hepatitis B booster, usually every 5th year. Titers are helpful in determining if it is needed.

Pneumovax: Should be given to all adults over the age of 65. It is good for 6 years.

It is also advised for all (regardless of age) who have a splenectomy (this includes Sickle cell patients who get an autos-splenectomy due to multiple repeated splenic infarcts, any-one with a chronic disease like Renal failure or Diabetes or heart failure or COPD.

Influenza (Flu) vaccine: It is advised for all adults (esp >50 years). Pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester during Influenza season, Residents or caregivers of Nursing home patients. Also for patients over the age of 6 months who have cardiopulmonary disease (including asthma) or a chronic metabolic condition or immunocompromising condition like Diabetes, renal failure, leukemia etc.

Contraindicated for those who have anaphylactic reaction to eggs and those who have an acute febrile illness.

Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td): Every 10 years. For a wound that has a high risk for tetanus, repeat if 5 years have elapsed.

Polio: Oral Polio every 10 years. Give the  killed vaccine if person lives with someone who is immunocompromised. OPV is live and as the virus passes through the gut, its virulence increases and may cause disease is someone who is immunocompromised.

Live vaccines are contra-indicated in immuno-compromised. They are   OPV, MMR, Varicella, Yellow fever, Rota-virus.

Anyone with HIV should receive the following vaccines: Hepatitis B, Pneumovax, Td & Influenza vaccine.