5 Qs on Vaccines for People Over 50
Sample: Which vaccine is considered optional for healthy adults aged 50-64 years? Hepatitis A? Pneumococcal? Other?
Do you know all the 2018 CDC vaccine schedules for your patients older than age 50 years? Answer these 5 quick questions and see!
Question 1.
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Answer: B. The varicella vaccine is recommended for all adults who did not have either chickenpox or the vaccine during childhood.
Question 2.
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Answer: D. A and B. A single dose of MMR should be given to adults born after 1957 with no evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella.
Question 3.
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Answer: B. False. Pre-testing for varicella immunity is not recommended, as persons born in the US prior to 1980 can be presumed to be immune to varicella for the purposes of herpes zoster vaccination, regardless of their recollection of having had chickenpox in childhood.
Question 4.
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Answer: D. Both A and B. Two doses of the RZV should be given 2-6 months apart to all adults over age 50; for those who already received the less effective ZVL, wait 2 months before giving the first of 2 RZV doses.
Question 5.
Answer: E. All of the above. Pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines are dependent upon health risks for these conditions; however, the pneumococcal vaccine is recommended upon reaching age 65 for everyone. Hepatitis A vaccine should be administered to adults who have a specific risk for hepatitis A through international travel, unprotected sex between men, IV drug use, clotting disorders, or chronic liver disease.
Visit the CDC website for recommendations on vaccination dosing and whether or not to vaccine by age.
