As a child, most of us have received our vaccines duly, whether we liked them or not. However, we didn’t know about their uses then and when they should be taken. It was all taken care of by our parents.Now, as adults, we must be careful that we do not miss out on important vaccines that are available for various diseases. Vaccines are important as they protect us from serious and often fatal diseases. They aid the immune system in generating a quicker and more efficient defence mechanism against infections.

In this article, we will be highlighting the 5 important vaccines that a young adult must not skip.

5 Vaccines for Young Adults: Must Not Skip

Here are five must-have vaccines for young adults that you should be taking if you are between 20-30 years of age.

1. Human Papillomavirus Vaccine or HPV Vaccine

An HPV infection is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which is caused by human papillomavirus — a DNA virus from the papillomavirus family. The human papillomavirus vaccine is thus, one of the most important vaccines for young adults.

HPV vaccine helps in the prevention of cervical cancer in women and warts (growths) in the genitals in both men and women. This vaccine is generally given to girls before the onset of sexual activity, but it can be taken later too. It is given to boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 26 years.

Taking the vaccine after the age of 15 will require you to take three [3] doses of the vaccine, while below 15 years of age a person requires only two [2] doses.

Kindly consult and discuss with your doctor the risks of the vaccine before deciding to take the HPV vaccine.

2. Hepatitis B Vaccine

It is important that you take the Hepatitis B vaccine if you have not been immunised in childhood. The vaccine protects against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) which affects the liver.

If you work at a medical institution and deal with blood samples, dialysis, injections, etc. or are a healthcare worker in any institution where you get exposed to the blood of patients very frequently, you should make sure that you have received the HBV vaccine.

It consists of a regimen of three doses that need to be taken at proper intervals. Even if not in the healthcare field, you must not skip the vaccine as it prevents hepatitis B infection that can later lead to liver cancer, if not cured in time. So, the hepatitis B vaccine for young adults is one of the essential vaccines to be taken.

3. Tdap and Td Vaccine

Tdap is a new three-in-one jab that protects from tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis diseases. This vaccine can be given to people above 10 years. So, you can take this vaccine if you have previously not been immunised against one or more of these conditions.

In case you have completed your immunisation course, you still need to take the booster dose of Td vaccine (a booster vaccine for tetanus and diphtheria) once every 10 years. You can also take the Tdap vaccine instead of the Td vaccine as a routine booster.

4. COVID-19 Vaccine

We’re able to limp back to normalcy from the global pandemic caused by COVID- 19, because of the vaccines developed. This has reinforced the importance of vaccination in our lives.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] recommends the use of vaccines to control the spread of COVID. Various vaccines have been developed thereafter, namely, Moderna, Pfizer, Novavax, etc. and each one has a different dosage pattern.

Ensure that you note the vaccine that you are taking and follow the dosage recommendation of the same for the following doses and booster shots.

5. Influenza Vaccine

Influenza is a common viral disease that can mutate and evolve into a different version every year. Hence, a new vaccine is prepared each year and doctors recommend taking the influenza vaccine.

In India, the vaccine available contains a killed virus that is given as a jab in the muscle. Some vaccines are available as nasal sprays too. However, they might not be safe for everybody. So, you must consult a doctor if you wish to take the influenza vaccine to identify the most suitable one for you. Influenza season generally lasts from October to May, so it is ideal for us to take the vaccine in October or November for the best protection.

The vaccine doses and recommendations change according to your health status. So, as a young adult taking vaccines, make sure that you consult a doctor and ask them for the correct vaccine and its dosage for you. As the old adage goes, better safe than sorry!

People also ask:

1. Can we take the COVID-19 booster along with the influenza vaccine?

Yes, the Influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine can be taken on the same day.

2. What is HPV?

HPV is the acronym for Human Papilloma Virus, which is responsible for spreading one of the most common STIs — the HPV infection. It is responsible for causing cervical cancer in women and genital warts (growths on the genitals) in both men and women.

3. Can men also take the HPV vaccine?

Yes, men can also take the HPV vaccine.

4. Is it necessary to take the influenza vaccine every year?

Yes, the influenza virus mutates and evolves frequently, and due to this, a new vaccine is developed every year to fight the newer strains of viruses.

5. When should we take the Td booster?

After the age of 18, you need to take the Td booster dose every 10 years. A newer vaccine called the Tdap vaccine can also be taken instead of the Td vaccine.

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Dhanunjay Reddy B