Adults should make sure they are up-to-date with recommended shots, including the vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia and an annual flu vaccine, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Adult immunizations are just as important as those for children, the KDHE reports.
“Despite the many advances in modern medicine, each year thousands of people in the U.S. die from diseases that are easily prevented by safe and effective vaccines, says Dr. Howard Rodenberg, director of the KDHE Division of Health. “Adult immunizations are safe, cost-effective and the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“As many as 46,000 adults in the U.S. die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications,” he said.
Those 65 years old or older, people who have a long term health problem, such as heart disease, alcoholism, or diabetes, and people whose resistance to infection is lowered due to Hodgkin’s disease, should get the pneumonia vaccine, according to KDHE.
