Why vaccination is important for all ages

Usually, when the public hears the term immunisation, it conjures images of immunising infants or young children against diseases like polio, measles, and mumps. Vaccination frequently evokes memories of childhood immunisation programmes, in which newborns and early children receive essential vaccinations to guard against illnesses such as polio, measles, and mumps. However, that is not what vaccination is all about; it has far wider implications than just childhood protection. It is a pillar of preventative medicine that lasts a lifetime. Although immunisation is an important aspect of caring for a child, it is not limited to children; adults can also benefit. Vaccines stimulate immunity to a specific infectious disease or pathogen by using the body’s natural defences to build resistance to these infections and make the immune system stronger. Hence, vaccination is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting you against harmful diseases before you encounter them. This explains why vaccines are not meant to be beneficial only to children but are all-age-encompassing.

Nevertheless, it is uncommon to hear adults discussing scheduling their immunisation appointments, as vaccinations for adults are not routinely commonplace in a country like Nigeria. In 2021, due to suboptimal immunisation coverage, the World Health Organisation identified Nigeria as endemic to yellow fever. Immunisations are not often at the top of the list of things to address at a clinic visit for both patients and health care practitioners. Consequently, it is uncommon to encounter an average Nigerian fully inoculated against certain infections such as tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough, and human papillomavirus. This can leave you wondering if the majority of the diseases that you need to be vaccinated against only affect neonates and young children. However, that is not the case. Infections such as tetanus, hepatitis B, flu, and whooping cough have no age boundary and are even more common in adults.

Getting vaccinated not only provides you with a sure and safe way to protect your health and stay away from infection as an individual, but it also ensures that you are not spreading serious diseases to the populace. Immunisation is a lifelong concept that spans all stages of life, from infancy to old age. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe complications and outbreaks associated with vaccine-preventable diseases. For instance, the measles vaccine not only prevents measles but also reduces the likelihood of serious complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and death.

Similarly, vaccines against diseases like tetanus and pertussis protect individuals from potentially life-threatening consequences. Vaccination recommendations are tailored to various age groups and risk factors. For example, adults may require booster shots to maintain immunity against certain diseases, while older adults may benefit from vaccines to prevent shingles, pneumococcal infections, and influenza-related complications. However, many adults are not following the government’s recommended vaccination schedule. A report released by the Centre for Disease Control in January found that vaccination rates are dangerously low among adults aged 65 and above. Only 62 per cent of seniors received the pneumococcal vaccination, just over 50 per cent got their tetanus vaccine, and a mere 15 per cent were vaccinated against shingles. As adults, we may need certain vaccines based on our age, life events, job, travel history, and health conditions. You can visit the CDC website to check out vaccine recommendations tailored for you.

Immunisation is a lifelong commitment to personal and public health. From childhood to old age, vaccines play a vital role in protecting individuals from a wide range of infectious diseases. By staying up to date with vaccination recommendations and supporting comprehensive immunisation programmes, individuals can safeguard their health and contribute to the collective effort to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases across all ages. Visit the nearest clinic today to get your vaccines, and encourage someone close to you to get vaccinated.