I generally get a TDAP shot every 10 years, just as a preventative. It’s not a big deal, unless you opt not to and then encounter something that makes you very ill. Never had a problem accessing these vaccines and no copay.
It would be better if we had clear guidelines about which meds need to be repeated, but clear medical and public health guidances on a national level is unlikely in the near future.
Perhaps make a copy of these while they are still here…
Thanks—have printed all sets of documents.
My MyHealthOnline tracks which vaccinations are recommended either per age (eg shingles or pneumonia) or per last vax (eg tetanus).
Went to get the second covid booster yesterday (as recommended 6 months after latest booster) and added on MMR. I think I had measles as a preschooler, and the vaccine that apparently was not so effective in the 60s. Anyway, didn’t see a downside. All’s fine the next day with no side effects.
Got them at CVS. They also said I was past due for Tdap. Not true. My healthcare’s portal has a vaccination tab that I keep up to date, and had Tdap in 2019.
The electronic vax records are mixed up because they don’t have vaxes you got outside if their system. That’s why I made a spreadsheet for me and H of all our vaccines and text a message to my providers every time I get a new vax and ask if be added to my EMR.
Maybe it depends on the provider. My records include the vaxes we got at various cvs, Walgreens, public health (covid) as well as at my doctor.
It probably depends on the web interface. I’ve gotten shots at several different Kaisers, several different CVS stores, some MD offices, Costco and also Walgreens. I know if it’s on my spreadsheet where and when I had it. I trust my spreadsheet. Sadly, with docs stopping practice, I can’t say the same about my MD offices. H is on his 3rd primary care since 2016. The 1st retired after decades and this one abruptly left after we had seen her earlier this month. Fortunately, we were able to find a 3rd who will see H in June for new patient visit.
It also may depend on the state. CVS seems to be tied in with the Virginia Health department. They have all of mine that I’ve gotten here as an adult. I’ve lived in Va since 1983 but I don’t know if I had many/any other than a flu shot before 2010ish
My docs didn’t have my vax records so I decided to make a spreadsheet of our vaxes over past few decades.
I think it’s partly the interface and the permissions you give it, I seem to recall there was an authorization to link the pharmacies and the county records.
Colorado has a record. They set it up about 25 years ago for the kids (before that we had little cards that we took to the pediatricians), then over the years transferred the adult records on it.
Went to Safeway today to get another covid shot and the clerk looked up my records and I asked if I needed anything. He told me about the pneumonia one I got 3 years ago and how I’ll need another in 2 years and then that one’s good for life. He said I might need MMR but I had measles as a 2 year old and he said that is probably good for the mumps and R parts too as they don’t worry as much about those (unless pregnant, but that would be a miracle at my age).
Oh, and I could need Hep B. Why? I’m sure I’ve had that but it might have been long before the record keeping.
Anyway, I’m good for a while now.
I got my shingles, pneumonia and MMR at Walgreens, but when I went on the CVS website I saw those records. I wonder if they got it via my insurance company.
Many (most?) states have vaccine registries so as long as you had the vaccine in that state it should show up regardless of who provided it. Older vaccines of course will not but some states, including NY I believe, have had registries for a couple decades now.
Measles vaccine is considered life long. There is no measles booster. The second shot is to catch those few who for whatever reason did not develop immunity the first time. About 97% of people will have immunity after a second shot (about 93% after the first). There is no reason to have another measles shot if you’ve had at least one in the past unless you work in a classroom or healthcare setting or in an outbreak area, though of course it won’t hurt you to get another either.
It is exceedingly rare to get measles once you’re vaccinated especially if you didn’t travel or have a known exposure. I’d be curious if the kid above was ruled out once his test came back (if they had rapid testing available that’s one thing but usually it takes a day or two to come back and most vaccinated suspect cases are ruled out then. Unvaccinated is obviously a different story.).
Or if you are traveling out of the country to certain other places.
Both of my kids were required to have measles additional shots before their freshman years of college…2003 and 2006. And both had the shot previously.
Yes agreed institutional living would be another reason to get an additional vaccination.
Reuters: “US at tipping point for return of endemic measles”
JAMA article referenced by the above:
923 cases in the US, including 653 in Texas and 118 in nearby US states with outbreaks. There are also 609 cases in Chihuahua (a state in Mexico), which borders west Texas.
Not measles but…
Coincidentally I am reading (well, audiobook on my commute) “Everything is Tuberculosis “ by John Green at the moment. It’s very interesting so far.
I come from a country with endemic high TB rates .. it’s a worrying thing.