Vaccination is often associated with the first years of life. However, the immunity provided by certain vaccines wanes over time, and booster shots are necessary in adulthood. Checking your vaccination record is one of the prevention actions that should not be neglected, particularly during a health check-up.
1. Why reminders in adulthood?
Some vaccines provide protection that diminishes over time. Without a booster, we can once again become vulnerable to preventable diseases, such as tetanus or diphtheria. Reminders serve to reactivate immune memory.
2. Recommended boosters for adults
| Vaccine | Adult Reminders |
|---|---|
| Reminder recommended, especially around a birth | |
| Flu | Every year for people at risk |
| ROR | Catch-up if not vaccinated and born after 1980 |
The vaccination schedule is updated every year: the doctor or pharmacist can check what applies to each person.
3. How to get back up to date?
If the record is lost or incomplete, don't panic: it is possible to resume vaccination without starting all over again. The doctor offers a suitable catch-up treatment. If in doubt about an old injection, caution should be exercised.
- Gather your old notebook and medical documents
- Take stock with your doctor during a check-up
- Note the next deadlines so as not to forget them
4. Vaccination and special situations
Certain situations require specific vaccines: travel, pregnancy, chronic illness, exposed profession. Anticipating is essential, especially before going abroad where certain vaccines must be carried out several weeks in advance.
Keeping your notebook up to date means protecting yourself but also protecting the most vulnerable around you.
💡 tips to remember
- Immunity from certain vaccines wanes over time: booster shots are necessary in adulthood, vaccination is not reserved for childhood.
- The diphtheria-tetanus-polio booster is recommended at ages 25, 45 and 65, then every 10 years.
- A lost or incomplete notebook does not require starting over: the doctor offers a suitable catch-up.
- Certain situations (travel, pregnancy, chronic illness) require specific vaccines to be anticipated, sometimes several weeks in advance.
- Keeping your notebook up to date protects yourself but also the most vulnerable people around you thanks to collective immunity.
