Frequent immunization is not needed now because these diseases occur less often and because we know that the immunizations provide protection for a long time. Thus, tetanus boosters are not required more often than every ten years for adults who have had the basic series of tetanus injections. As these conditions become rare, the problems of
side effects from the inoculations are in some instances as great as the risk of illness.
Do not allow yourself to be reinoculated just because you have lost records of previous immunizations. If you haven’t had a tetanus shot for ten years or so, ask for a booster shot while visiting the doctor for another reason. You can save future trips to the doctor by being protected for the next ten years. In general, do not seek out the optional immunizations. Flu shots, for example, are only partially effective and often cause a degree of illness themselves; they are recommended only for the elderly and for those with severe lung diseases.
Recommended Immunization Schedule
2 Months DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), and Oral Polio
4 Months DPT and Oral Polio
6 Months DPT and Oral Polio
15 Months Measles
18 Months DPT and Oral Polio
5 Years DPT and Oral Polio
12 Years Rubella (Only for females with a rubella hemagglutination test that is
negative or less than 1:16)
Every 10 Years T(d) (adult tetanus, diphtheria)
We recommend that the optional immunizations (including mumps, hepatitis, pneumovac, and flu) be taken only upon the recommendation of your doctor, and than only after careful discussion. In general, do not initiate requests for those inoculations. They have a definite role for some people, but not for all.
Finally, here is a summary of what you need to remember about preventive medicine:
You don’t need frequent checkups if you feel well, except for a few specific tests. Blood pressure, Pap smears, breast examination, tuberculosis screening, glaucoma testing, and dental checks are the most important; most people will not even need all of these. Most of these procedures can be obtained through public health departments at city or county expense. Take your doctor’s advice concerning the need for a urinalysis, urine culture, tests of the stool for blood, rectal examination, or sigmoidoscopy.
Elaborate physical examinations or multiphasic screening may detect trivial abnormalities and thus worry you unnecessarily.
Complete physical examination should include counseling on health habits.
You should have a plan for obtaining medical care before the need arises.
You should be immunized according to recommended schedules, but you need “boosters” only occasionally in adult life.
If you follow these general principles and if you moderate your habits as discussed in my older posts, you are well on the way toward taking care of yourself.
Finally, here is a summary of what you need to remember about preventive medicine:
You don’t need frequent checkups if you feel well, except for a few specific tests. Blood pressure, Pap smears, breast examination, tuberculosis screening, glaucoma testing, and dental checks are the most important; most people will not even need all of these. Most of these procedures can be obtained through public health departments at city or county expense. Take your doctor’s advice concerning the need for a urinalysis, urine culture, tests of the stool for blood, rectal examination, or sigmoidoscopy.
Elaborate physical examinations or multiphasic screening may detect trivial abnormalities and thus worry you unnecessarily.
Complete physical examination should include counseling on health habits.
You should have a plan for obtaining medical care before the need arises.
You should be immunized according to recommended schedules, but you need “boosters” only occasionally in adult life.
If you follow these general principles and if you moderate your habits as discussed in my older posts, you are well on the way toward taking care of yourself.
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