Vaccines: Not Just for Kids
You may not have received any or all of the recommended vaccines as a child.
Newer vaccines may not have been available when you were a child.
Immunity can wane over time. This is especially the case for whooping cough. A booster dose is actually recommended for adults who were not previously or recently immunized.
As you age, you become more likely to experience more serious diseases resulting from complications of common infections.
You may travel to areas where rare infectious diseases are more common.
You may come in contact with people who have been exposed to unusual infectious diseases.
Recently, several new vaccines have been licensed: HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine, Varicella-zoster virus, and Meningococcal vaccine. Not all of these vaccines have been licensed for use in China.
Do adults need the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 45 years old. BJU offers three types of HPV vaccines which prevent infection from HPV types 16 and 18, which are most likely to cause 70% of cervical cancers
Ideally, girls should receive the vaccine before they become sexually active. It is effective, safe, and has no serious side effects. However, no vaccine can offer 100% protection. Because the vaccine doesn’t protect against all viruses that can lead to cervical cancer, women should continue to have regular Pap smears. Males can be carriers or get cancers and warts caused by HPV. Vaccination has been extended to boys or men in some countries.
Do adults need the hepatitis A vaccine?
Children are routinely vaccinated for hepatitis A, but many adults have not been vaccinated because the vaccine is relatively new. We recommend it for all people, especially those who have chronic liver disease, receive clotting factor concentrates, travel to countries where hepatitis A is common, or have occupations that might expose them to the virus.
Do adults need the meningococcus vaccine?
The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) was licensed in 2005 to combat bacterial meningitis. This vaccine is recommended for adolescents and some adults, including students entering college and people traveling to areas where they are likely to be exposed to meningococcus.
Other vaccines you may need
Even if you have received all of your childhood vaccinations, ask your doctor whether you need any booster shots. For example:
Tetanus shots should be repeated every 10 years.
Get a flu shot each year.
If you have never had chickenpox and have never been vaccinated, now is the time.
Check whether you need a booster for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
If you travel, make sure you have the required immunizations.
Adults over the age of 65 (or adults with certain medical conditions) should be vaccinated against bacterial pneumonia.
Zoster vaccination is indicated for people above 50 years of age in order to reduce the risk of developing herpes zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia, meaning pain connected with inflammation of the nerves caused by the virus infection. The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) is the preffered zoster vaccine for most patients because it provides greater protection, especially among people in their seventh to ninth decade. Keep an eye out as the vaccine might be available later this year.
For more information about vaccines for adults or children, please contact the BJU Family Medicine Department.
Location: Building 3, First Floor
Operating Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 8 AM - 6 PM
To make an appointment, please call：4008-919191
Dr. Jean-Pierre Dhenin received training in Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Cardiology at different hospitals in Lille, Douai, and Valenciennes in northern France. He also obtained a post-graduate university diploma in the management and treatment of high blood pressure. Dr. Dhenin has over 15 years of experience as a general practitioner and Family Medicine physician and used to serve as an on-site physician for the French Embassy in China.