Many people associate vaccines exclusively with childhood age. However, the truth is that vaccination remains just as important in adulthood.

As we grow older, our needs change, risks diversify and some infections can prove to be much more serious than we imagine. Adult vaccines are one of the simplest and most effective means of prevention, protecting not only the individual but also the wider community.

The Professor of Therapeutics – Epidemiology – Preventive Medicine, pathologist (Therapeutic Clinic of the Medical School of the University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital) Theodora Psaltopoulou, Alexandra Stavropoulou (biologist) and Thanos Dimopoulos (Professor of Therapeutics – Oncology – Hematology, Director of the Therapeutic Clinic, t. The way they work is essentially a “lesson” for our immune system. Without causing the disease itself, they teach it how to recognise and treat the microorganisms that cause it. This is because, in most cases, the vaccine contains a weakened or inactive form of a virus or bacterium, or some significant part of it. So when the body later comes into contact with the actual pathogen, it is already prepared.

Adult vaccines

One of the most prominent examples is the Tdap vaccine, which offers triple protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.Tetanus can enter the body through wounds, cuts or scratches and cause severe muscle spasms, stiffness and the well-known “loctzoo”, which is the inability to open the mouth or swallow. A one-time Tdap vaccination followed by a booster dose of Td every 10 years is sufficient to maintain protection. For pregnant women, in fact, a booster dose is recommended between the 27th and 36th week of each pregnancy.

Chickenpox is another infection that is often considered a “childhood affair,” but in adults it can be much more dangerous. Those who have not had it are still at risk of infection, even if they are simply in the same room as a patient. In adults, the disease is associated with a higher risk of complications, hospitalization and death. Chickenpox pneumonia can be particularly serious in pregnant women, as it is a medical emergency. The vaccine is given in two doses, four to eight weeks apart for people 13 years of age and older.

On the other hand, the virus that causes chickenpox can reappear later in life as shingles.
This disease occurs most often after age 60 and can cause a painful rash with blisters, eye damage and long-term nerve pain. To prevent it, there is the Shingrix vaccine, which is given in two doses and is recommended for people 50 years and older, as well as for adults as young as 18 who are immunocompromised or immunocompromised.

The vaccine against HPV, the human papillomavirus, is also important. Some strains of HPV are associated with the majority of cervical cancers in women and some throat cancers in men. One of the available vaccines also protects against most genital warts. Although the vaccine can be given as early as age 9, young adults – especially those who have not been sexually active – can also benefit. Even some adults aged 27 to 45 years may decide to be vaccinated if they have not been vaccinated earlier.

For some groups of adults, protection against meningitis is of increased importance. Young people living in military wards or dormitories, travelers to certain areas, and people with compromised immune systems may need vaccination against meningococcal disease. This is a disease that can be fatal or leave serious consequences, such as brain damage or hearing loss.

Depending on lifestyle and exposure conditions, vaccines for hepatitis A and B may also be important. Hepatitis A can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, but also in other special cases. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood or bodily fluids, such as during unprotected sexual intercourse, use of another person’s personal belongings, or use of shared needles. Hepatitis B in particular can lead to serious liver damage or even death.

In addition, some vaccines are not only useful, but are required for entry into certain countries. At the same time, travelers should be aware of routine vaccines and those that are recommended depending on the destination. Ideally, planning should be done 4 to 6 weeks before travel.

There are, of course, vaccines that apply to almost everyone. The annual flu vaccine remains a basic protection measure, and there are also vaccines for RSV, especially for older adults or those with health problems, and for pregnant women, so that the infant is protected as well. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 vaccines continue to be an important prevention tool, with different types activating the immune system in different ways. Equally critical is protection against pneumococcus, which can cause pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis.

Finally, the MMR vaccine protects against three serious diseases together: measles, mumps and rubella. Although many adults are already sick or vaccinated, those who are not immune remain vulnerable.Measles can lead to serious complications, mumps in adults can be associated with meningitis or painful swelling of the testicles and ovaries, while rubella is particularly dangerous in pregnancy, as it can cause miscarriage, premature birth or severe birth defects.

Source: APM

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