- By Iram Hussain
- Mon, 05 May 2025 06:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
When we think about vaccines, most of us picture babies and children getting their scheduled shots. But the truth is that vaccines are just as important for adults. As people grow older, their immune systems become weaker, a natural process known as immunosenescence. This makes adults more likely to catch infections and fall seriously ill. At the same time, many adults have chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease or cancer which make infections even more dangerous. In India, where a large number of adults live with such conditions and where awareness about adult vaccination is still low, it's important to understand that immunization is not just a childhood requirement, it’s a lifelong health priority.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Madhav R. Dharme, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Sahyadri Super speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune explained why vaccines are important for adults.
Why Vaccines Are Important In Adulthood?
Vaccination is instrumental in helping reduce childhood diseases like measles and polio. But other conditions such as shingles (herpes zoster), influenza, hepatitis B, pneumonia and HPV-related cancers still pose serious risks to adults. As compared to children, many of these conditions are particularly harmful for adults. For instance, older adults suffering from pneumonia can require hospitalization and could be at risk of lung failure, or worse, death. An adult suffering from the flu may take much longer to recover which increases the chance of severe complications, particularly for those with pre-existing heart or lung issues. In addition to this, older adults respond much less effectively to infections and even vaccines which is why they need booster doses alongside annual vaccines.
Especially those over the age of 50 tend to need these more. Individuals like pregnant women, healthcare workers, and those with immunocompromised bodies need to be more alert as they tend to have greater risk. Vaccinating adults serves a greater and wider purpose. It reduces the prevalence of infections, which in turn protects babies and older relatives, as well as people with lower immunity. This method of infection control is known as herd protection.