Ask the Experts- August 2021

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

I’ve hear a lot about the need for vaccinations recently and I have received my COVID 19 vaccination. So that is done. However, what other vaccines do I need. I am age 54. Thank you for providing this information to me.

Coleen

Dear Coleen,

Even if you got vaccines as a child, some vaccines protections may have worn off over time. This may put you at risk for certain diseases. You can protect your health and those around you by making sure you are up to date with your vaccines. It is pretty easy these days to get vaccines. They are administered at doctors’ offices, in certain pharmacies and even at certain community health clinics.

So, let’s look at the vaccine’s adults should get:

• Flu vaccine every year to protect against seasonal flu
• Td/Tdap to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough)

And, based on your age, health conditions and the vaccines you had received as a child, you may need additional vaccines such as:

• Chickenpox
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
• Meningococcal
• Pneumococcal
• Shingles

You should talk with your healthcare professional to make sure you are up to date with the vaccines recommended for you. Please remember that vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect your health.