National Vaccination Day 2026: Vaccines Isn’t Just for Kids—Adults Need It Too! | Explainer

Adult immunisation is crucial to our health. They boost immunity, prevent major infections, and prevent communal sickness. These immunisations are cheaper than hospitalisation for serious consequences.

Most people believe that vaccinations are only for the pediatric age group - newborn babies and children. There is a misconception that once vaccinations are completed during childhood, we remain immune for life. However, this is not entirely true for all diseases. As we age, our immunity, though strong in childhood, may gradually decline, especially after age 30.

Vaccines for Adults? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Skip Them

This makes it important to boost or reboot the immune system, particularly against certain bacteria and viruses, which can lead to serious illnesses if not prevented. One of the most commonly recommended vaccines for adults is the tetanus and diphtheria (TD) vaccine. 

You might have heard that whenever someone experiences a fall, injury, or fresh wound, doctors ask whether a Td or T-daP booster has been taken. This vaccine actually protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). If it has been more than 10 years, a booster shot is recommended to help maintain immunity for another decade. Another important adult vaccine is the influenza vaccine, commonly known as the flu shot. Influenza is caused by H1N1 and other evolving strains, which tend to change year after year. The vaccine may not always prevent flu, but it can definitely help reduce the severity of the disease and the hospitalisation rates. 

It can also help reduce the spread of infection, as our body can respond quickly to the virus if we are vaccinated and act against it, preventing severe symptoms like pneumonia, which may require hospital admission. This contributes to herd immunity, which protects the larger community, especially children and the elderly, who are vulnerable to these seasonal viral illnesses. The influenza vaccination is recommended once a year before the monsoon starts, when flu is on the rise due to rain and higher pollen count. Next upare COVID-19 vaccinations, which almost everyone received during the pandemic. While a booster dose is not required for everyone now, people who have not yet been vaccinated due to health or other reasons can still safely receive the vaccine. 

This will help strengthen the body’s immune response and provide protection against severe symptoms. Now, as we have heard about the nationwide free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 9 - 14 years to prevent cervical cancer, it is high time we push adults to also opt for the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccination helps prevent several cancers, including cervical, anal, throat, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers, and reduces long-term cancer risk.

To sum up, we can definitely stress the fact that adult vaccination plays an important role in maintaining our overall health. They not only help strengthen immunity but also protect us from serious infections and contribute to community-wide illness prevention. If we view it from a cost perspective, the cost of these vaccines is much more cost-effective than treating severe complications, where specialised care at a hospital may be required.

- Dr. Anjali S Raj, Consultant - Neonatology, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road.