Most people associate vaccines with childhood, but the truth is that immunization is a lifelong process.
As we age, our immune system changes, new risks appear, and some vaccine protection from childhood begins to fade. Staying updated with vaccines is one of the most effective ways to protect your health at every stage of life.
How Vaccines Work
Vaccines train your immune system to recognize and fight specific infections without causing the disease itself. They expose the body to either weakened, inactivated, or engineered pieces of a pathogen, prompting the production of antibodies and memory cells.
This “immune memory” means that if you are exposed later in life, your body can mount a rapid, powerful defense.
Why it matters beyond childhood:
Some infections (like tetanus) do not provide lasting natural immunity—boosters are needed.
Other infections (like flu or COVID-19) constantly change, requiring regular updates.
Aging weakens the immune response, making older adults more vulnerable.
Key Vaccines for Adults
Annual and Periodic Vaccines
Influenza (Flu): Recommended every year for everyone over 6 months old. Especially important for adults with chronic conditions and older adults.
COVID-19: Booster recommendations vary with variant updates and personal risk.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap/Td): Booster every 10 years.
Vaccines for Midlife and Older Adults
Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Recommended for adults age 50+.
Pneumococcal (Pneumonia): For adults 65+, and younger adults with chronic conditions.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): Now available for adults 60+, depending on health risks.
Situation-Based Vaccines
Rabies: For animal bites or high-risk occupations/travel.
Hepatitis A & B: For travelers or at-risk groups.
HPV: Recommended up to age 26, sometimes up to age 45.
The Bangkok Context
Living in a dense, fast-paced city increases exposure risks. With international travel, food-borne illnesses, and close contact in offices and public transport, vaccines are as important for adults in Bangkok as they are for children.
At PrimeCare, we make vaccines simple and seamless:
Doctor-led screening to ensure eligibility and safety
Vaccines administered with proper storage and handling (cold chain)
Clear bilingual explanations of side effects and after-care
Beyond Protection: Vaccines and Healthy Aging
Vaccines are not only about avoiding infections—they also help prevent the complications that accelerate aging.
A flu shot, for example, reduces the risk of hospitalization and cardiovascular events in older adults. Shingles vaccination prevents painful nerve complications that can affect quality of life for years.
Your Health, Your Protection
Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools of modern medicine—safe, effective, and preventive.
Protection doesn’t end after childhood; it adapts with you through every stage of life.
Stay protected. Book your adult vaccine consultation at PrimeCare today.
