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The Best Shots in Life So, ready for a shot?

May 1, 2022   Return

We hope this Mini Report have shown you that vaccinations are a vital component of your efforts to stay healthy. They are not merely for children – even as adults, certain vaccines can help protect us from infectious diseases that threaten our efforts to find fulfilment and joy with our loved ones.

Here is a summary of recommended vaccines for adults from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please consult your doctor for more information.

Vaccine

Recommendation

Influenza

1 dose every year

Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)

Substitute 1-time dose of Tdap booster for Td booster, then boost with Td every 10 years

Varicella (chicken pox)

2 doses

Zoster (shingles)

1 dose for adults over 60

Pneumococcal

1 dose for adults over 65

For adults below 65, recommended 1 dose if risk factors are present (consult your doctor)

Meningococcal

Compulsory to perform the Hajj in Mecca – get a shot at least 10 days before

For other adults, 1 or more doses if risk factors are present (consult your doctor)

Hepatitis A

2 doses if risk factors are present (consult your doctor)

The Ministry of Health Malaysia made it compulsory for children and teenagers to receive the following vaccines (for free, of course). If you missed out on any of these, consult your doctor on getting yourself vaccinated.

Vaccine

Recommendation

HPV

3 doses

Hepatitis B

3 doses

Mumps, measles, rubella (MMR)

3 doses

[1] US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule. Retrieved on 28 May, 2015 from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule.pdf

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