Ask a Health Care Professional about Immunizations - Are immunizations only for children?
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NARRATOR: Are immunizations only for children?
DR. SUN: No. Immunizations are for all people pretty much. There is the standard set of
childhood immunizations, but all people should, for example receive an influenza immunization
every fall, because that will help them decrease their chance of getting influenza. For elderly
people there is the pneumonia vaccination. I think it is important to remember that the
pneumonia vaccination is for one specific germ, pneumococcal which can cause very severe
pneumonia in elderly people. It will not protect against all pneumonias, but the pneumococcal
germ is a very common cause of pneumonia.
For people who have shingles or chicken pox in the past there's a vaccination for shingles
which is a very painful rash that can develop. The vaccination is very protective against
that. So it's for all people. If you are an adult, and you have not had a recent pertussis
booster you should probably talk to your doctor about whether they would recommend to get
another pertussis shot. Pertussis has not been eliminated, and there has been reported
breakouts every now and then in the states. It has been shown the immunity that the original
vaccine that pertussis gives can diminish over the years. So again if you are an adult
and not have had a recent pertussis booster, you should talk to your doctor to see they
would recommend that for you.
