Vaccine news and recommendations for adults
Just this week it was announced that the United Kingdom is the first country to authorize an updated version of a COVID vaccine for adults. This new vaccine targets both the original version of the virus and the first omicron subvariant (BA1).
Public health officials expect a new variant-specific COVID vaccine to be available in the U.S. this fall. However, our version will look different from the one approved in the U.K. Earlier this summer when Moderna and Pfizer presented their findings to FDA, the panel asked the vaccine makers to make additional adjustments to target both the original virus as well as the most prevalent omicron subvariants (BA4 and BA5).
As we await this new booster, let’s take a look at current vaccination recommendations for all adults.
1. Polio. On August 11th, in response to news of a polio case in New York state earlier this summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, clarified polio vaccination recommendations for adults. Most adults have been vaccinated against polio during childhood. However, the CDC identified three groups of adults who should receive polio vaccination: those who are unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, and completely vaccinated but are at higher risk of exposure to poliovirus. For additional information, talk with your healthcare professional and visit CDC’s poliovirus and vaccine website at http://go.hawaii.edu/2k2.
2. Monkeypox. In late June the U.S. national monkeypox vaccine strategy was announced which outlines the expansion of vaccination for individuals at risk, make testing more convenient, and disseminate antiviral smallpox treatments across the country. CDC’s Monkeypox vaccine considerations website is at http://go.hawaii.edu/kk2 and the White House briefing on the outbreak response is at http://go.hawaii.edu/2kX.
3. COVID-19. Vaccine recommendations vary by age, initial vaccine received, and time since last dose. For adults, “up to date” status generally includes one booster for adults under age 50 and two boosters for those age 50 and up. For additional information, talk with your healthcare professional and visit CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine website at http://go.hawaii.edu/yk2 or the COVID-19 vaccine diagram at http://go.hawaii.edu/2kn.
4. Influenza vaccine. It takes at least two weeks for the flu vaccine to be effective so the CDC recommends that all adults receive this annual vaccine by the end of October to be protected at the start of flu season.
5. Pneumococcal vaccine. Unless otherwise directed, CDC recommends that all adults 65 years and older and adults between 19 and 64 who have certain risk factors get this the pneumococcal vaccine. To learn more about the vaccine options and determine which meets your needs, talk with your healthcare professional and visit CDC’s pneumococcal vaccination webpage at http:// go.hawaii.edu/Fk2.
6. Tdap and Td vaccines. Tdap protects against tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis (whopping cough) while the Td protects against tetanus and diptheria. The standard recommendation is one dose of Tdap in adulthood followed every 10 years with a Tdap or Td booster. For additional details visit CDC’s Tdap website at http://go.hawaii.edu/2ka.
7. Shingles vaccine. Unless otherwise directed, adults under age 50 who have weakened immune systems and adults age 50 or older should get the two-dose shingles vaccine called Shingrix. Additional information is found at CDC’s shingles vaccine website at http://go.hawaii.edu/ bk2.
Additional vaccines such as meningococcal, chickenpox, varicella, human papillomavirus, hepatitis A and B may be recommended for some adults depending on their risk factors and vaccine history. For the complete table and detailed explanation, download the CDC’s “2022 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule” and then talk with your primary care physician, http://go.hawaii.edu/3V4. This information is also available as a free smart phone app; search for “CDC Vaccine Schedules” in the App Store or on Google play.