What vaccine boosters are required for adults?

In France, only one adult in two is up to date with his or her vaccinations. And when asked, “Have you done all your vaccinations?”, a large number of them say they don’t know where they stand

Vaccination does not only concern children and infants. Indeed, the protection provided by some vaccines does not last forever. That’s why booster shots in adulthood are essential. Three vaccines are particularly recommended, especially if you are planning a pregnancy, have a chronic illness or are close to vulnerable people.

The DTP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio) vaccine: the most important one

This vaccination is recommended at 25, 45, and 65 years of age because the protection conferred by the vaccine lasts about 20 years. After the age of 65, a booster is recommended every 10 years, due to the weakening of the immune system.

Why is it important?

Diphtheria and polio have disappearedin metropolitan France, but epidemic outbreaks persist elsewhere in the world. The tetanus is linked to a bacterial neurotoxin present in the soil. “Therefore, the risk of contracting it exists throughout life,” explains Professor Élisabeth Bouvet, an infectiologist at the Bichat Hospital (Paris).

“The recalls in adults are all the more important as cases of tetanus are mainly found in the elderly,” notes Dr. Nicolas Vignier, an infectiologist. Generally, they become infected while gardening and contract the disease because their vaccination is not up to date

What to do if you forget a booster?

If you forget, the doctor will resume the vaccination where it stopped. For example, if a 55-year-old person realizes that he or she has not received a booster at age 45, he or she will receive a dose immediately. Their next booster will be at age 65 as per the vaccination schedule.

What to do if you are confused?

In this situation, a dose of DTP will be injected right away. Two months later, the doctor will perform a blood test for tetanus antibodies. “If they are elevated, it means that the person received the vaccine as a child. In this case, the vaccination schedule must be resumed,” describes Dr. Nicolas Vignier. On the other hand, if serology shows that the person has never been immunized, he or she will need to receive two more doses. The vaccination schedule applies thereafter”

The MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine: essential for women of childbearing age

“For optimal protection of the vaccine, two doses are required. Between 1980 and 1990, we thought that one dose was enough,” says Professor Bouvet.

Why is it important?

Adults born after 1980 were inadequately immunized. They should receive a second injection if they have already been vaccinated in childhood

What if we don’t know where we stand anymore?

Two doses are needed one month apart. “This vaccine is very important for women of childbearing age because rubella can cause malformations in the fetus, leading to the termination of pregnancy,” insists Dr. Sohela Moussaoui, a general practitioner. Two doses are necessary. They should not be injected during pregnancy.

Pertussis vaccine: indispensable for the families of infants

Infants are the first to be affected by this highly contagious infection, which is responsible for serious respiratory complications. In the majority of cases, transmission comes from the family.

Why is it important?

Vaccination provides individual protection, but it also protects infants who are not yet fully protected by their own vaccination. This is called the cocooning strategy. “Thus, we offer the vaccine to couples planning to become pregnant, but also to the siblings and grandparents of an infant,” says Dr. Moussaoui

What if we don’t know where we stand anymore?

A recall will be carried out between 26 and 45 years old. It is almost systematically prescribed to young parents on leaving the maternity ward. The vaccine can be injected even if the mother is breastfeeding.

MMR and pertussis vaccines: what to do if you have forgotten the date of your last booster?

  • If your health record indicates that you are late with your booster shots: you will immediately receive 1 dose of DTP. The doctor will then follow the vaccination schedule. He or she may also offer you a reminder of the pertussis vaccination. If you were born after 1980, he will check if you have received both doses of the MMR vaccine. If this is not the case, a catch-up vaccination will be done.
  • If you no longer have your health record: the doctors consider that you have never been vaccinated. You will immediately receive 1 dose of DTP + pertussis. Two months after the injection, a blood test for antibodies will determine if you have been vaccinated in childhood. If this is the case, the doctor will follow the vaccination schedule. ” But if serology shows that the person has never been immunized, he or she will receive 2 more doses. The vaccination schedule applies thereafter,” says Dr. Vignier. If you were born after 1980, 2 doses of MMR will also be injected.

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