In the general perception of health, there is a misconception that adults do not need vaccination. Vaccination is seen by many as primarily directed at children and the elderly, while adults are strong enough to be immune to disease without having to rely on the power of vaccines. This view is entirely wrong, and today we will look at the importance of vaccination for adults in detail.
First, adults are threatened by many diseases, and vaccines are an effective means of preventing them. For example, influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics on a global basis every year. Adults are exposed to a high risk of influenza in their work and life. In the event of infection, not only are symptoms of discomfort, such as heat, cough and inactivity, which affect work and the quality of life, but they can also lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, myocarditis, etc. For adults suffering from chronic diseases, influenza can lead to an increase in pre-existing diseases and even endanger life. Inoculation against influenza can significantly reduce the risk of influenza infection, reduce the severity of symptoms and reduce the occurrence of complications.
Pneumonia is also a common infectious disease among adults. Pneumococcus is one of the main infectious diseases that cause pneumonia, which is particularly harmful for older persons, smokers and adults with low levels of immunity, such as chronic cardiovascular diseases. Pneumococcal infections can be effectively prevented and pneumonia morbidity and mortality reduced. According to studies, vaccination against pneumonia can reduce the incidence of pneumonia by more than 50 per cent and the incidence of associated complications is significantly reduced among specific populations at high risk.
In addition, adults are exposed to the risk of disease associated with certain occupational and living environments. For example, because of the nature of their work, health-care workers are exposed to a variety of pathogens and are at a higher risk of contracting blood-borne infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C. Vaccination against hepatitis B can provide effective protection to health-care personnel against the risk of infection from occupational exposure. Adults who travel or work frequently to areas where infectious diseases are endemic, such as malaria-endemic areas in Africa, are vaccinated against malaria (where appropriate), yellow fever and other specific vaccines, which can significantly reduce the risk of local infection.
With age, the immune system of adults is declining and resistance to disease is decreasing. Vaccinations can enhance the functioning of the immune system and help the body to better respond to pathogen attacks. For example, herpes is a disease caused by the re-activation of the pox – herpes virus, most of which is found among the elderly. In the case of herpes, there is a neurologically distributed sapling on one side of the body, accompanied by severe pain, which seriously affects the quality of life of the patient and some of the patients may have neurological complications. Vaccination against herpes can effectively prevent its occurrence and reduce the risk of symptoms and after-effects at the time of its onset.
Moreover, the spread of some infectious diseases among adults cannot be ignored. For example, the human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is closely related to multiple cancers such as cervical and anal cancer. Although cervical cancer is more common among women, men may also be infected with HPV and cause related diseases. The vaccination of adults against HPV can be effective in preventing HPV infections and reducing the risk of associated cancers, which is important for the reproductive health of both men and women.
Vaccination of adults is an important measure to safeguard their own health and must not be ignored because of misconceptions. Adults of all ages, occupations and living conditions have specific vaccination needs. We should establish the right concept of vaccination, consult with professional doctors or public health institutions, in accordance with their own circumstances, in a timely manner, to obtain a vaccine that is appropriate for themselves and to build a solid immune line for their health.
