Shot of Confidence: Vaccine Recommendations for Your Health

Vaccine Guidelines for adults can be confusing, and they are updated frequently, so something you may have thought you didn't need may now be recommended.

Here is my interpretation of the current guidelines for the common vaccines.  You should always consult with your physician for their recommendations.

Pneumonia

The current recommended vaccine is Prevnar 20 or 21.

If you have never had either of those, and it has been 5 or more years since you had any form of pneumonia vaccine then you can get and updated Prevnar 20 or 21. 

Additionally, pneumonia vaccines were previously recommended for age 65 and over, but are not recommended for anyone age 50 or over.  If you are 18-49 and have any immunocompromising illnesses, lung disease, heart disease etc, then you also should have a pneumonia vaccine. 

COVID

Over the past few years an updated COVID vaccine has come out each fall. 

The current recommendations are to get the updated COVID vaccine each fall. 

For people 65 and over, a 6 month booster is then recommended.  

Remember that if you have had COVID, you are generally thought to be "immune" from getting it again for 90s days, so you should delay the new booster shot until after that time period. 

Flu

Annual Flu vaccine recommend between August and March each year.  The ideal time to get the flu vaccine is probably mid-October to mid-December.  

RSV - (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

When it first came out the guidelines seemed a little unclear. 

Currently, it is recommended for everyone age 75 or older, or for people age 60-74 with underlying lung disease. 

Tetanus

Still recommended once every 10 years. 

Comes as Tdap or Td

Tdap contains tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria vaccines

Td contains only tetanus and diphtheria. 

It is probably best to get the Tdap to protect yourself and other against whooping cough (pertussis)

Shingles

The older shingles vaccines, Zostavax, was a live vaccine, so patients with certain immunocompromising conditions could not get it. 

The current recommended Shingrix vaccine is a inactivated (no live) vaccine and is recommended as a 2 part series for anyone age 50 and over.  The second shot should ideally be given 2-6 months after the first.  If you got the first and forgot to go back for the second, you don't need to start over, just the second as soon as possible.  

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This is not by any means an the exhaustive list of  ALL available vaccines. 

Remember that not all vaccines are right for everyone, which is why you should have a conversation with your doctor about what is right for you. 

Some common vaccines may be contra-indicated for you based on previous reactions or health conditions, while other less common vaccines may be necessary based on your

other health conditions.  

Additional vaccines are sometimes recommended based on your type of employment or travel. 

Dr. Kathryn Grinnen 

Core Concierge Health

19330 Lighthouse Plaza Blvd

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

phone: 302-585-8022

website: www.coreconciergehealth.com

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