August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and each week is targeted at a specific group. This week has focused on adult immunizations, and nurse Lynn Fisher of Washington County Public Health reminds people that vaccines aren’t just for children. Every 10 years, an adult should receive a tetanus booster, one of which in a person’s lifetime should contain the whooping cough vaccine, and they should receive a seasonal influenza shot every year. She added, adults over 60 should get a shingles shot, and adults over 65 should get a pneumonia shot. Additionally, depending on careers and travel plans, adults may need hepatitis A and B vaccines.

If a person has foreign travel plans, Fisher recommends they speak with WCPH or the travel clinic at University of Iowa Hospitals to find out about diseases they should inoculate against before going. They can also visit CDC.gov which has a world map that lists general recommendations for needed vaccines. Finally, if a person is unsure of their vaccination needs, Fisher encourages them to reach out to WCPH or their health care provider to find their immunization history.