Back-to-School Vaccines Are for Grown-Ups, Too

If you’re taking your kids to the doctor for their back to school vaccinations, why not use the occasion to ensure that your own immunizations are up to date as well? That’s the sage advice being handed out by the American Osteopathic Association.

(Now, before we go any further we should acknowledge that the whole issue of vaccination has become controversial in recent decades. So, we’ll stress the word “if” in that first sentence to avoid creating a ruckus.)

However, “if” you are in the pro-vaccination camp, it really may be a good idea to plan on having your own booster shots done along with your kids’. After all, many vaccinations require booster from time to time. Also, many adults have never been properly vaccinated in the first place.

The AOA points out that vaccine-preventable diseases – such as measles, mumps, flu and whooping cough – are an ongoing public health threat.

They recommend that you talk to your doctor about these essential vaccines:

Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
Zostavax (Shingles)

Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumonia, meningitis and other severe conditions)

Yearly flu vaccine

HPV vaccine (For women and men)

Varicella (chicken pox)

MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)

Ask about these, and other vaccinations you might need. Just think of it as a parent/child bonding experience.