2014 Adult Immunization Schedule Announced, via CDC

Between work, the kids and side projects, it's difficult to keep up to date on all the necessary vaccines. However, research shows that a simple trip to your primary care doctor could help prevent many health issues each year. And in some rare cases, it could even prevent death. 

Yet many simply skip out on their recommended shots? For instance, things like whopping cough, shingles, etc., come to mind. And if there are young teenagers in the family, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may be something to consider as well. 

The simple answer may be that some are unaware of their easy availability and the guidelines that come with getting them. Now the CDC has some new recommendations and guidelines for the upcoming year.

Here's the story.  As many have seen information for the Flu advertised, there is also a vaccine for whooping cough and chicken pox that some should take advantage of. To add to that, it's recommended that adults over the age of 60 get a shingles vaccine, as well as a vaccine for pneumonia if you're over 65 and the measles and mumps vaccine if you're born after 1957.

"These diseases that these vaccines prevent many of them are very common right here in the United States. Some people may think these are only illnesses you can catch when you travel so it's important to remember that these are very common and you can certainly get these diseases here," said Dr. Carolyn Bridges, the Associate Director for Adult Immunizations at Center for Disease Control, via ABC Local.

However, key changes to the schedule also include revisions regarding vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV); zoster virus, pneumococcal disease ; tetanus diphtheria and meningococcal disease, etc.

For instance, for those who are looking for HPV vaccinations, though no additional information has been clarified between the timing of the third and second doses, the language has been modified in order to minimize the pediatric immunization guidelines, according to Medical News Today.

There has also been some clarification about whether the vaccine for pneumococcal disease-a condition created by the Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria that can create blood infections, meningitis and even pneumonia-should be administered in a certain or require both pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPVSV23) vaccine. 

For those interested in a more complete version of the schedule, visit the Annals of Internal Medicine's website.