As an expert in infectious diseases, what would you say patients should know about getting their immunizations?
Patients should know first that vaccines are a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting ourselves against harmful diseases before we come into contact with them. Vaccines utilize our body’s natural defenses to make our immune system stronger and build protection to specific infections, ultimately reducing the overall risk of getting a disease. We now have vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases.
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Patients can get recommended vaccines at their doctor’s office, and many vaccines are also available at local pharmacies, health centers, health departments, and travel clinics.
What immunization recommendations do you have for older patients, to keep them healthy and safe as they age?
All adults ages 65 years and older should consult with their health care provider about recommended vaccines based on their comorbidities or medical conditions. As we age, our immune system tends to weaken over time, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases.
In general, recommended vaccines for the older population include:
COVID-19 vaccine, seasonal Flu vaccine every year, Pneumococcal, Shingles, Respiratory syncytial virus, and the Td or Tdap vaccine depending on previous administration.
How should patients know what vaccinations they need to receive based on their health conditions and age?
Patients should consult with their health care provider to discuss about the recommended vaccines that are indicated based on age, health status, occupation, and other risk factors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has The Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool which is based on similar criteria above (age, medical conditions, occupation, and traveling risks). This tool provides a list of vaccines that the patient may need based on answers to a questionnaire. It is important for patients to always be aware of his/her own vaccination history in order to avoid repeating unnecessary ones.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to learn more about their own immunizations and future vaccinations in a changing post-COVID world?
The vaccination record (sometimes called your immunization record) provides a history of all the vaccines you received as a child and adult. Unfortunately, there is no national organization that maintains vaccination records. The ones that exist are the ones you or your parents were given when the vaccines were administered and the ones in the medical record of the doctor or clinic where the vaccines were given. Patients can also contact their state’s health department as some states have registries (Immunization Information Systems) that include a history of past vaccines.
To obtain information regarding previous or future vaccines, patients can always consult with their health care provider and state health department who would be able to provide comprehensive and updated vaccination information. Your medical provider would be able to help with any special circumstances you may have. The CDC has informational documents on all vaccines available to help you make an informed decision on which ones to receive.
What should new parents know about immunizations for their children?
As parents, we constantly worry about how we can both do better for our children and protect their health. It is important for parents to know that vaccines have contributed to a significant reduction in many childhood infectious diseases, such as diphtheria, measles, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). One success story was with poliovirus in the United States where it was once one of the most feared diseases but has since been eliminated in the United States.
There is abundant evidence on the safety and effectivity of vaccines to prevent infectious diseases. It has been given to millions of babies, children, adolescents and adults. Ensuring the safety and effectiveness of vaccines is one of the top priorities for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies who have oversight over vaccines to ensure that standards are met. They also place emphasis on identification of uncommon adverse reactions or long-term complications that may occur.
Since immunization programs have been so successful, the majority of today’s parents have never seen many vaccine-preventable diseases and may not understand the potential for them to re-emerge. We should not take this for granted and neglect the importance of community wide vaccination. If too many individuals choose not to vaccinate themselves or their children, some diseases that are now rare may resurface.
Like any medication, vaccines have both benefits and risks. Although highly effective, no vaccine is 100 percent effective in preventing disease or 100 percent safe in all individuals. But it is reassuring that most side effects from vaccines are usually minor and short-lived. If we compared the risk of being harmed by a vaccine to the risk of serious illness from infectious diseases, we find significantly less risk with vaccines.
I always encourage parents to talk with their healthcare provider or their children’s pediatrician about any concerns they may have.
About Dr. Figueroa
Dr. Nilka Figueroa is a board-certified Infectious Diseases physician who practices at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health. Dr. Figueroa is currently the Co-Chief of the Infectious Diseases
Department and Chairperson of the Infection Prevention and Control department. Dr. Figueroa completed her medical degree at Ponce School of Medicine, her Internal Medicine Residency at Hospital San Lucas in Puerto Rico where she was the Chief Resident, and her Infectious Diseases fellowship at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem where she was appointed Chief Fellow. Dr. Figueroa is dedicated to diagnosing and treating complex infections, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and emerging infectious diseases with special interests in antimicrobial resistance and hospital-acquired infections. She is committed to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and education. Additionally, she is actively involved in clinical research, engaged in resident and medical student training, and has published numerous articles and case reports in peer-reviewed journals.
