Vaccine truths: Adults need their shots too

NEW DELHI: If you thought you've had your fill of vaccine shots as a toddler, think again. The truth is you need a diphtheria-tetanus booster dose every 10 years after you turn 18. And that's not all. Even non-pregnant women require MMR shots, while other essential adult vaccines include those for pneumonia, influenza and meninigococcal meningitis.
But while a concerted campaign is on to eradicate diseases like polio among children, doctors rue the fact that adult vaccination has not been given its due.Said Dr Nalin Nag, senior consultant in internal medicine, Apollo Hospital: "There is no concept of vaccinating adults in India.
The fact that only children need vaccination is a myth. Adults also need to be immunised against several diseases from time to time." In fact, the successful eradication of ailments like smallpox, tetanus, diphtheria, measles and mumps in the United States is largely attributed to adult vaccination.
Medical practitioners also blame their own fraternity for being lax on the issue. Said Dr Nag: "Not just the patients, there are several doctors who haven't given adult vaccinations any emphasis." There are some doctors though who feel that adult vaccination is the need of the hour.
"There is a rising need for adult vaccination because cases of diseases like influenza and other chest infections are steadily increasing," said Dr G S Grewal, member of the Delhi Medical Council. With no adult vaccination schedule issued by the government, several doctors are of the view that child vaccination should indeed be the priority.
Said Dr Narendra Saini of the Indian Medical Association (IMA): "First children should be vaccinated, only then adults should be taken care of. IMA recommends a rubella vaccine for all adolescent girls and a vaccine for Hepatitis B. It cannot be done for all since it's a very costly affair."
World Health Organisation (WHO) is also of the view that adult vaccinations can be afforded to be neglected in a country like India. According to Dr Craig Burgress, officer in the routine immunisation unit of WHO: "One has to see what is practically possible as against what's the ideal course of action.
Though adult vaccination would help, a lot depends on the immunisation programme structure in the country. In some states in India, it's too fragile for adult vaccination programme to be carried out."
Echoed Dr Anoop Misra, professor, department of medicine, AIIMS: "Child vaccines have always been the priority in our country. When that goal is achieved, the next goal should be to get the adults vaccinated."