While vaccinations remain the most effective prevention strategy to maintain immunity for a prolonged period, adult immunization remains neglected. Adult immunization myths prevail as a result of inadequate awareness, lack of an established body of official recommendations, and vaccine hesitancy, which contribute to reduced vaccine coverage across India. For instance, there are rising incidences of typhoid cases in India, despite the availability of vaccines, and is universally recommended.
This suggests adults need to be aware of immunization as a preventive solution to effectively make use of it. The first-ever adult immunization recommendations by the Association of Physicians of India highlight the clear need for adult immunization in India.
Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, Former Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said, "There is potential to increase adult immunization coverage in India. To develop these evidence-based recommendations, we convened a panel of healthcare experts across specialty practices, ranging from Cardiology to Pulmonology, Gynaecology to Nephrology. The result is a comprehensive body of knowledge outlining best practices and reliable information on adult immunization in India. Through these recommendations, we hope to drive a paradigm shift to ensure adult vaccinations are increasingly suggested and adopted."
These can lead to higher disease burden in adults, exacerbate comorbidities, and are associated with higher rates of mortality in adults. Pixabay
While vaccinations prevent infectious diseases, prolong and improve quality of life, emphasis on adult immunization is low. The recommendations by the API will help increase awareness and equip healthcare practitioners with evidence-based information to guide vaccine recommendations and administration. At Abbott, we aim to continue raising awareness to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases, so they can live fuller and healthier lives, says Srirupa Das, Medical Director, Abbott India.
It is important to stay informed and clear up common misconceptions around vaccines, so you can make the most of your immunization conversation with your doctor! Here are five common vaccine myths, and the facts to know to address them. Inputs from Abbott India.
Myth 1: Vaccines are for children
Fact: Vaccinations are recommended across various stages of life. As protective effects of childhood vaccines wear off over time, it is vital to remain up to date on booster shots. Rapid globalization and increased frequency of international travel have raised the likelihood of adults contracting vaccine-preventable diseases, including influenza, Hepatitis A and B, and more. These can lead to higher disease burden in adults, exacerbate comorbidities, and are associated with higher rates of mortality in adults.
There are vaccines you should take as an adult even if you didn't take them as a child, like the Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DPT) vaccine, which is a booster shot recommended once every ten years.
Myth 2: Not all adults need vaccines
Fact: Vaccinations are an important public health strategy across the population, including healthy adults, and many vaccines are universally recommended. These include vaccines for influenza, typhoid, and Hepatitis A and B, which have resulted in seasonal epidemics across India.
There is also an increased need for certain vaccines, such as the Hepatitis Bone, especially among at-risk populations, which include people with comorbidities, healthcare providers, geriatrics, and pregnant women.
Getting vaccinated every year is thus important to ensure optimal, sustained protection against rapidly adapting influenza viruses. Pixabay
Myth 3: Vaccines cause unnecessary hassle and make me sick.
Fact: Vaccinations are beneficial and can help avoid disease burden and negative complications in the long run, thus leading to better health outcomes so you can live a fuller, hassle-free life. Moreover, vaccines don't cause illness but short-lived side effects, including low-grade fever, aches, or soreness, which are nothing to worry about — in fact, it is the result of the bodybuilding and immune response to the vaccine.
Myth 4: It's better to get the flu naturally instead of taking a vaccine, which will weaken my immune system.
Fact: Being exposed to the flu naturally means exposing yourself to potentially serious disease with moderate to severe symptoms including fever, joint pain, and cough among others. This can prompt worrying complications or even progress to pneumonia, respiratory failure, or even morbidity, particularly for those at high risk. Vaccination is a far safer option to protect yourself against preventable diseases and in fact, strengthens your immune system.
Myth 5: I took the influenza vaccine last year, so I don't need it again
Fact: Influenza viruses are constantly changing and so, WHO identifies and provides the latest strain recommendations annually. Getting vaccinated every year is thus important to ensure optimal, sustained protection against rapidly adapting influenza viruses. This is vital especially considering India where we have had pandemic outbreaks of influenza in various states, including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, in 2012, 2015, and 2017. Get your flu shot annually to keep yourself protected.
What next: Get your vaccine checklist in place. Consult your doctor for more myth-busting, in-depth information so you can set a vaccination schedule in place and keep your health in check! (IANS/JC)