COMMON ADULT VACCINATIONS
1. Hepatitis A vaccine
· 2 shots; second shot after 6-8 months; immunity estimated to last for 5 years.
· Recommended for hostellers, or people living in areas where water is not treated properly.
2. Hepatitis B vaccine
· 3 shots; second shot after 1 month; third shot after 6 months; booster after every 5 years.
3. Tetanus vaccine
· 3 shots within a period of 7 months; booster after every 5 years.
· No need to ‘over-immunize’ ourselves by getting vaccinated after every injury.
4. Typhoid vaccine
· 1 shot of intra-muscular injection or
· 3 tablets of typhoid tablets, one every alternate day.
5. Influenza vaccine
· 1 shot annually every fall.
· Recommended for persons prone to infections like the sick and the elderly.
· However, it cannot give full cover as there are too many strains of the influenza virus.
6. Pneumococcal vaccine
· 2 shots; second shot after about 6 months.
· It prevents pneumonia and is usually given to immuno-compromised persons or those with diabetes, chronic heart, liver, and lung or kidney disorders.
7. Meningococcal vaccine
· 1 shot
· It is given to prevent meningitis when there is an epidemic.
8. Chicken pox vaccine
· 1 shot
· Recommended for young adults who have never contracted the illness in childhood.
· However, older adults can leave this out as it is mainly a disease of the young.