I’ve never been asked for proof of vax either, ever. I did get certain vax before going to India, and my business partner did run into trouble going from Brazil to South Africa as she is unable to have certain vax (yellow fever?) for medical reasons. My spouse who is a physician (though not hers) faxed the airline a letter on his letterhead certifying this and it saved the day - though we didn’t know during the entire flight whether she’d be let in, and that’s a looong flight!
Yes, Pertussis = whooping cough
Last time I went to Urgent care for an injury (and the last time my daughter went to urgent care for an injury) they gave us the TDAP shot - the Pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus combo - they said they were not giving out just plain tetanus anymore because they wanted to get the general population strengthened for all three of them. Old rule was tetanus every 10 years - think they have revised this now.
For what it’s worth, I got just the tetanus shot a few weeks ago. It’s probably because I’m immunocompromised but they do still exist.
And yes, again, I meant tetanus not pertussis in my post.
These age based guidelines are frustrating because it is well documented that immune response to vaccines goes down as we age. The new shingles vaccine formulation discussed in the other thread appears to overcome this ‘immune senescence’, making it a promising option for seniors. For all other vaccines, the younger you are when you receive them the stronger will be your response to them. While the primary response diminishes with time your immune system ‘remembers’ the pathogen for faster response in the future.
Surpringly little of the current immunization guidelines are formulated with evidence based science to back them up. In fact, some researchers argue that it is pointless to immunize the elderly for flu based on the data available. A much better strategy is to immunize children and healthy young adults, thereby reducing the spread of virus.
I too got a tetanus shot - not pertussis.
I don’t think most countries ask for proof of vaccination. But there are recommendations for traveling in some parts of the world. The CDC is a useful source of recommendations. For those planning travel abroad, check the recommendations several months ahead of time, as some of the vaccinations take a while to take effect or require a series of shots for full immunity.
How timely. My H has heart issues (afib) and asthma/COPD. He has been resistant to flu vaccines and now that he is 60, the shingles vaccine. He had knee replacement surgery last week and is in rehab. Today, a friend visited. She’s now 58 and told us that she had shingles last year and how horrible it was. Although I was a bit annoyed that she brought chocolates to my seriously overweight H, I forgave her because she succeeded in convincing H to have the shingles shot. I am going to check with my insurance to see if it’s covered in the rehab facility; if not, he’ll get it when he’s released. I am 57 and plan to have it as soon as insurance covers it.
I firmly believe in vaccines at all stages of life.
Having seen a few people suffer with shingles, I strongly recommend that people get it, regardless of whether or nor you have to pay for it yourself. It’s an awful affliction. There have been many discussions here on CC about it. You do not want to mess with it!
A Pertussis booster is recommended for any family/caregiver of an infant. I was able to get a Tdap at the same time I had my flu shot. New grandbaby expected this week! I really wish they would lower the recommended age to get a shingles vaccine and therefore have it covered by insurance. I know several people, myself included, who had shingles before age 60.
I get the flu shot at work. I never thought of getting paperwork to send to my doc. Got shingles shot at Walgreen’s LY. Most painless shot I’ve ever had. My high deductible plan covered it as a preventative. Had an injection site reaction which necessitated a doc visit and antibiotics and steroids. Plan didn’t cover that of course. Still better than shingles im sure. After reading this thread, I have a feeling I may be behind on some other shots. Probably should ask my doc next visit.
I just had to go through two rounds of MMR and chicken pox vaccines. I had no documentation of having had them or the illnesses so the hospital where I’ll be working required them.
Any decent doctor should be able to tell you what you need and prepare a schedule of vaccines for you.
@KKmama and you couldn’t get a titer done to see if you had the immunity?
Maybe new titters are more diffinitive, but Decades ago I was diagnosed by student health with rubella (just based on symptoms, and despite my pediatric record of having had the virus). No big deal until I turned up pregnant soon after. My rubella titer was between the results for recent infection and results from childhood infection. Much worry and angst. Kid turned out fine, either I had enough immunity from childhood infection or enough time had passed since my grad school infection.
Insurance won’t pay for the titer because it’s not preventative or treatment. . My doc didn’t think they would pay for the shots either and told me that if I’d paid for the expensive titer and it came back negative I’d then also have to pay for the vaccines. Insurance paid 100% of shots which was big relief.
Pertussis IS “whooping cough”.
Every ten years or so I manage to step on a nail which prompts me to rush to urgent care and update my tetanus shot.
Goodness, I’ve already corrected myself twice.
I know pertussis IS whooping cough. I MEANT tetanus. I was thinking about the tdap shot and my brain just slipped up.
@sorghum Pharmacists at places like Wal-Green’s know the ins and outs of which vaccinations you can get on the same day, or how much time needs to elapse, recommended/required age, etc. They are usually up on the details of recommended vacs. The only thing you might have to watch out for is, they are not exactly a disinterested party so they will recommend everything on the list even though it might be something that you could delay if you wanted (pneumonia comes to mind, for people with no unusual risks).
As to travel and documenting shots, I went to Africa a few years ago and yellow fever shot was not required for our destination. However, I looked into it and for instance if our flight had been detoured through a country with yellow fever, then we would need the shot (and no easy way to get it at that point).
I got the shot, contrary to the suggestion/recommendation of our tour guide who was also a medical professional. And I was glad I did. The FIRST question I was asked upon exiting the plane (at 2 am after traveling for over 20 hours) was, did I have proof of yellow fever shot? (Even though not required for entry)
The person immediately behind me did not have the shot and they were taken off to a side room for who knows how long and who knows what repercussions? I was really glad that I had gotten the shot.