Adults Need Vaccinations Too

I have been visiting the doctor's office often lately, trying to keep myself healthy. There was also some preparation for a procedure I needed to have done, along with the visits afterward to make sure I healing.

When I was in my primary physician's office, he pulled up my immunization records, and it had been more than 10 years since I had received the Tetanus booster. I did not realize it at the time, but, as an adult, I need to get that vaccine every 10 years, although there are conditions that mean that you may need to get it more often:

"Which adults should get vaccinated against tetanus?

• Those who did not receive a primary immunization series during childhood.
• Those who have not received a Td/Tdap booster dose within the past 10 years.
• Older adults and diabetics, who are at higher risk for tetanus, should carefully review their history of tetanus immunization and receive Td or Tdap if they have not had a booster vaccine in the last 10 years.
• Any adult who has recovered from tetanus (lockjaw) disease should receive Tdap or Td.
• Special note: Adults who have not already received Tdap should get a single Tdap dose in place of one Td booster.
• All healthcare workers and persons in contact with infants younger than one year of age should also receive Tdap vaccine to protect against pertussis (whooping cough)."

I don't much care for needles, and I really don't like shots, but, you do what you have to in order to prevent a disease if you can. I took the shot, and my arm was sore for 2 days after. I would rather deal with a sore arm, then potentially more serious complications from tetanus. For more information about the tetanus vaccine, click here.