July 11, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Ask the doctor: Do adults need vaccines?

“Do adults need vaccines?”

By: Jeanelle Murphy, DO

Yes, adults definitely should have vaccines and keep up their childhood vaccines by having booster shots on schedule.


Examples of adult only vaccines are Shingrix-the vaccine that prevents a person from coming down with Shingles, a painful rash that may lead to chronic pain. Shingles is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus. All adults over the age of 50 years should receive two doses of Shingrix 2-6 months apart to be protected from Shingles.


Another adult only vaccine is Pneumovax, (Pneumococcal 23). This vaccine is recommended for all adults over the age of 65 years and adults with heart or lung disease or adults with a compromised immune system from age 19-64 years. Pneumovax should be given every 5 years if the person is under 65 years old and once after the age of 65 years.  Prevnar ( Pneumococcal 13) should be given first after the age of 65 years followed by Pneumovax within a year after the Prevnar vaccine. Prevnar is also a childhood vaccine given first at the age of 2 months old.


There are other adult vaccines recommended if a person will be traveling to other countries, these can be found on the CDC website and depends on which countries the person will be visiting.


Booster shots that adults should continue to receive throughout their lifetime are Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) which is given for the first time at the age of 11 years then every 10 years thereafter. Tetanus is a terrible neurologic disease also known as “Lock Jaw” that can affect any age and can be contracted by stepping on a dirty nail or receiving a dirty cut. Diphtheria is a life threatening bacterial throat infection that we no longer see in the United States because of the vaccine. Pertussis is a bacteria that causes whooping cough, a severe lung infection that can be life threatening to infants and sickens people of all ages.  It is important for adults to keep up with their Tdap boosters every 10 years to protect themselves and others.


Flu vaccine is to be given every year for everyone over the age of 6 months to help prevent Influenza A and B which can be severe and life threatening for some people.


If an adult has not received certain childhood vaccines or if they have lost their acquired immunity to these childhood vaccines (determined by checking a titer which is a blood test) it is important that they receive the vaccine again. These vaccines include MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Varicella (Chicken pox) if they have not had Chicken Pox disease, Hepatitis A and B as well as Gardasil if not previously received (HPV vaccine). Measles is an extremely contagious virus that causes a febrile illness with rash and upper respiratory infection symptoms that can be life threatening to some. Mumps is a viral illness that causes swelling of the salivary glands in the face and can cause inflammation of the testicles of boys can lead to infertility. Rubella is a viral illness that may cause a mild febrile illness in adults and can be life threatening to or cause birth defects such as deafness in an unborn child of an infected mother. Hepatitis A can cause a severe liver infection that is short lived and generally not life threatening to adults and Hepatitis B can cause chronic liver disease which can be life threatening. Hepatitis B virus can also cause liver cancer. Gardasil is a 3 dose series given to adults of both genders ages 18-45 years if they did not receive the vaccine as children.  Gardasil is a vaccine against human papilloma virus which can cause cervical cancer in women, penile cancer in men (rare) as well as genital warts in both genders.

There is not yet a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine in general use however when it is available and proven to be safe and effective I do encourage all adults to be vaccinated as suggested to protect themselves and others from this potentially deadly virus.

in Life
Banner
Related Posts

Hometown appeal: The Wheelhouse earns Business of the Year honors

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

When the Wheelhouse opened in 2017, it was unlike anything in St. Joseph. And still is. The farm-to-table restaurant owned...

How do I help my kids try new foods?

October 19, 2021

October 19, 2021

By: Dr. Jeanelle Murphy, DO Thanks to Christie Clinic for sponsoring this content. Encouraging young kids to try new foods...

10 things you don’t know about me… Miss Sophia from Gallo Dance Studio

July 24, 2019

July 24, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident to share 10 fun facts about themselves. This week we caught up with...

SJO makes graduation plans for June

May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is making plans for graduation to honor the Class of 2020. In a letter sent to...

Ask the Doctor with Dr. Jeanelle Murphy

April 6, 2020

April 6, 2020

How much screen time should my child have? What are the pros and cons for letting a toddler or grade...

Auto shop offering free oil changes to healthcare workers

June 12, 2020

June 12, 2020

St. Joseph Automotive and Diesel is helping the people who help us. During the month of June, in collaboration with...

For Poulter, entertaining people is a calling

July 17, 2024

July 17, 2024

Jonny Poulter just wants to entertain people. The 2022 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate was inspired to play music after...

Maxey named to SJO Board of Education

June 23, 2020

June 23, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden School Board has a new member. The Board of Educated voted to fill a vacant position with...

5 Questions with Cohen Sands

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

We asked the members of the Heritage Bass Chorus five questions. Here are Cohen Sands answers. What does it mean...

Williams to be inducted into Hall of Fame

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Larry Williams feels honored. Williams will be inducted into the SJO Hall of Fame on Friday during the Homecoming Football...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

Homeward Bound: Piper’s incredible adventure comes to an end

September 23, 2020

September 23, 2020

Piper, the most famous Labrador in St. Joseph, is finally back home. The dog spent seven days exploring St. Joseph...

‘They want to show their support of the law enforcement and their family’

June 2, 2021

June 2, 2021

Jim and Jen Wagner support their community, so when a friend came in to their store, Wagner signs and Graphics,...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me… Casey Phillips

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Casey Phillips is active in the St. Joseph Women’s Club, a mom to two girls, a dental assistant and helps...

Kids say…

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Comments
Leave a Reply