Dec 4, 2009 8:45 pm US/Pacific
What You Need To Know About Adult Vaccines
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The CDC is warning a lack of awareness is an issue this flu season. (File)
CBS
Of course you keep up on your kids' vaccinations, particularly during all of this recent flu frenzy. But did you know there's a list of vaccines that adults need to keep up to date too?
Leading medical experts are warning that many Americans are hit with unnecessary illnesses because they don't roll up their sleeves.
Leanne Flaig-Hutchinson is much better now, but was recently treated for the H1N1 flu, reports CBS station WCBS-TV.
"I was scared to death that, yes, I was going to die," Flaig-Hutchinson said. "I had severe chills, my bones were aching from my head to my toes."
It turned out that Flaig-Hutchinson's flu was complicated by pneumonia, something that could have been prevented. Because she has a chronic condition, she's among those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get the pneumonia vaccine, but she didn't know.
The CDC is warning a lack of awareness is an issue this flu season.
"Definitely, there is a relationship between H1N1 influenza infection and bacterial pneumonia, and so it is highly recommended that individuals get the pneumococcal vaccine who are at risk," Carol Friedman, associate director for adult immunizations at the CDC, said.
It's not just the flu or pneumonia, either. Each year, more than 50,000 adults die from diseases that are preventable by vaccines.
Experts say the percentage of adults getting vaccinations is extremely low. For example, only 25 percent of those who qualify for the pneumonia vaccine get it, and only 32 percent of those who need the Hepatitis B shot get it.
So why do so many adults skip out on vaccinations?
"They didn't know they needed the vaccine, or their physician didn't recommend it," Friedman said.
So where should you start? Recommendations vary according to factors like age and medical history, but some are for everyone.
"It's recommended every 10 years that you get a booster for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis," Friedman said. "Recently there's been a resurgence of pertussis."
It's a similar case with shingles or zoster.
"This is a reactivation of chicken pox, and it can affect many older individuals, older adults because again, immunity starts to wane," Friedman said.
Flaig-Hutchinson says that, in the future, she'll be checking to make sure she gets what she needs.
It's important to consult with your physician about what you need and when you need it, including flu shots. The CDC does have a list of recommended vaccines posted online, which you can see here.
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