You've checked that your kids are up-to-date on their vaccines, but what about yours?  There are many new vaccines available to prevent diseases in adults and children that not only  weren't required when we went to kindergarten, they weren't yet invented!  The best thing to do is to ask your doctor if you're up-to-date on the standard shots and if there are other vaccines that would be in your particular best interests.

 We think of vaccines as being given once for life, but those for pneumonia and the flu must be given annually.  It's not too late to get your protection this year.  Certain vaccines also need boosters every 10 years or so.  Ask when you need your next tetanus shot booster.  Have you had chicken pox?  If not, you may want to consider the chicken pox vaccine.  While this is generally a mild and self-limited illness in children, it can be a serious infection in an adult, especially pregnant women.  Are you at risk for Hepatitis B?  You may be surprised:  childcare workers and all health care workers have been added to the list of those who should receive the 3-part vaccine. 

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Created: 11/15/2000  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.