7 Vaccines that Need Boosters

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Posted: Nov 29th, 2022 at 01:32PM - by Ashlee Arnold

Vaccines help keep us healthy at all stages of life. They protect us against potentially fatal diseases and build our immune systems. However, in some cases, one vaccine isn’t enough to build a strong defense against the illness it protects you from. Some viruses mutate over time, making the original vaccine less effective. Even without virus mutation, some vaccines tend to wane over time, leaving you vulnerable to disease. 

Therefore, it’s important to go for a second or third dose of the vaccine, known as booster shots, to remain protected. If you’re not sure what you’re already immune to, titer tests can tell you.

What is a Booster Shot?

A booster shot is an additional dose of vaccine, or a “top-up” of your antibodies, that helps to rebuild your immunity after the initial series of vaccines has become less effective. 

Vaccines contain a weakened virus that initiates an immune response when introduced into your body. Your body creates memory cells that recognize the virus if they attack in the future. Booster shots take advantage of this immunological memory by tricking your immune system into thinking that it’s encountering the virus, making the body create a stronger defense.

7 Vaccines That Need Boosters

You may need the following booster shots as an adult in order to stay healthy.

1. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are life-threatening diseases that require vaccination. 

Tetanus (aka Lockjaw) is a bacterial disease that enters your body through cuts, wounds, or burns. Its symptoms include stiffening jaws or muscles, sweating, fever, and irritability.

Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial disease spread through oral or respiratory droplets and close contact with infected people. It can cause a thick lining in the back of the throat. Diphtheria symptoms include difficulty swallowing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and nasal drainage. 

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with respiratory secretions. The disease can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, rib fractures from intense coughing, back strain, and brain hemorrhage. 

The Tdap vaccine helps in the prevention of these three diseases. It’s a routine childhood vaccination. However, adults are eligible for a Tdap booster shot every 10 years. 

Women should be vaccinated during each pregnancy. (Of course, if you have any concerns, speak with your healthcare provider!) You may also need a tetanus vaccine after a burn or severe injury if your booster dose was more than five years ago.

2. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

Measles, mumps, and rubella are viral diseases spread through the air after an infected person has coughed or sneezed. Symptoms of measles are fever, cough, and red rashes on the body. 

Mumps cause fatigue, anorexia, muscle aches, ear aches, swelling of glands, and fever. Rubella, also known as German measles, causes arthritis, mild fever, headaches, and swollen glands.

Like most vaccines, people receive the MMR vaccine as a child. The first dose is available at 12 months, and its booster shot is at four to six years of age. Those born between 1957 and 1989 may only have received one dose of the MMR vaccine and therefore may need a second dose to complete the two-dose recommended vaccine series.

3. Varicella (Chickenpox)

Varicella is a contagious viral disease spread by being in close proximity, talking with an infected person, or touching an infected surface. Its main symptoms are fever, sore throat, decreased appetite, and itchy blisters. 

The varicella vaccine is usually administered on the same schedule as the MMR vaccine in early childhood. For those 13 years old and up who have never had the vaccine or disease, the two doses are separated by 28 days. Other eligible groups for this vaccine are college students, immigrants, the military, and people working in correctional facilities. 

4. Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A and B are diseases that affect your liver. You can contract hepatitis A by consuming contaminated water and food. Its symptoms include jaundice (yellowing skin), dark urine, nausea, fever, and anorexia. 

Hepatitis B can be passed from person to person through contaminated blood and bodily fluids. Some of its symptoms are joint pain, fever, fatigue, and jaundice. Unlike hepatitis A, hepatitis B can lead to permanent damage to the liver and even increase the risk of liver cancer.

According to the CDC, you must go through a series of vaccinations to be fully protected against hepatitis A and B, and they follow a certain schedule. For instance, for the hepatitis B vaccine, there should be at least four weeks between the first two doses, and at least eight weeks between the second and third doses. However, there are now two-dose vaccine series available for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines, which allows you to complete each series earlier and be fully protected. 

5. Shingles

Shingles is a disease caused by the zoster virus. This virus causes chickenpox and remains dormant in your body even after recovering. However, if it’s triggered, you’ll start to experience symptoms again.

Symptoms of shingles are itchy skin, painful rashes on one side of your body, fever, and headache. Some people even suffer from chronic pain for years after the rash has gone away. People above 50 years of age are recommended to go for the shingles vaccine whether they remember having chickenpox as children or not. The vaccine is given in a series of two shots spread across two to six months. 

6. Influenza (Flu)

The flu is a contagious respiratory disease that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. The disease usually spreads after tiny droplets of the flu virus land in your nose or mouth. Its symptoms include a runny nose, fever, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.

The best way to prevent influenza is by getting the seasonal flu shot. We need the vaccine each year because it changes, to keep up with the changing strains of the flu.

7. COVID-19

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. It affects everyone regardless of age or health status. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated. 

The vaccine becomes less effective over time, especially since the COVID-19 virus can mutate. So, you should go for a booster shot to achieve a higher level of immunity. According to the CDC, people five years of age and older should receive one updated booster at least two months after their last COVID-19 dose.

Vaccine booster shots strengthen your immunity. Having a strong immunity prevents you from illness, in addition to protecting the wider community. It’s routine for children to get vaccines and boosters at a tender age. However, many adults are unaware that they, too, require boosters. Not sure which vaccines you need? Ask us about getting a titer test to determine your immunity.

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