Modified: March 12, 2018 10:13am
Latest News
PRESS RELEASE
From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein
Date: March 12, 2018
CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov
Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925
Adults Need Vaccinations Too!
Many Adults Unsure of What Vaccinations They Should Receive
ERIE COUNTY, NY—The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (“ACIP”) recently announced a revised Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults (aged 19 years or older).
The adult immunization schedule contains information for both healthcare providers and the general public on principles of immunization for adults, considerations for special populations, such as pregnant women, reference resources pertinent to adult immunization, and instructions for reporting adverse events associated with vaccinations and suspected cases of reportable vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Many adults are unsure of which vaccinations they should receive and when,” said Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health. “With the release of these updated recommendations, it is a good time for Erie County adults to review this list and discuss if any of these immunizations are appropriate for them.”
"The big change to this year's adult immunization schedule is the addition of the new herpes zoster vaccine (“Shingrix”) to prevent shingles,” said Burstein. Adults ages 50 and older are recommended to receive two doses, two to six months apart, regardless of whether they have had shingles in the past or had received the prior shingles vaccine (live zoster vaccine “Zostavax”, manufactured by Merck).
Another change is that an additional dose of measles-mumps-rubella (“MMR”) vaccine should be given to people who had previously received up to two doses and are identified by a public health authority to be at increased risk during a mumps outbreak.
The CDC offers an easy to use Adult Vaccine Quiz, an online assessment tool, which will provide a list of vaccines you may need. “I recommend that you print out the results and discuss them with your health care provider during your next office visit or your pharmacist,” added Burstein.
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For more information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2018
CDC 2018 Recommended Immunizations for Adults by Age and Medical Condition (PDF)