Vaccines Are Not Just for Children
When did you last check your vaccination status? If you are like most adults, you probably have no idea which boosters you need or whether your childhood vaccinations are still protecting you. Vaccination is not a childhood-only affair – adults need regular boosters and, depending on age and health status, additional vaccines that were not available or recommended during childhood.
At our practice in Zürich Seefeld, I review vaccination status as part of every comprehensive health assessment and ensure my patients are up to date with evidence-based recommendations.
Why Adult Vaccinations Matter
Immunity from some childhood vaccines wanes over time, requiring boosters. New vaccines have been developed since you were a child. Your risk profile changes with age, health conditions, and travel. Herd immunity depends on adequate adult vaccination rates. Certain infections that are mild in children can be severe or fatal in adults.
Key Adult Vaccinations in Switzerland
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap): Boosters every 10-20 years depending on age. Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination is particularly important for adults in contact with infants.
Influenza: Recommended annually for adults over 65, healthcare workers, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions. Also reasonable for anyone wishing to reduce their infection risk.
COVID-19: Updated boosters as recommended by the BAG (Swiss Federal Office of Public Health) based on current epidemiology and variant landscape.
Pneumococcal vaccine: Recommended for adults over 65 and those with chronic lung, heart, liver, or kidney disease, diabetes, immune suppression, or asplenia.
Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Recommended for adults over 65 (or over 50 with risk factors). Shingles affects 1 in 3 people in their lifetime and can cause severe, long-lasting nerve pain. The recombinant vaccine (Shingrix) is highly effective.
HPV: Now recommended for young adults up to age 26 (and discussed on a case-by-case basis for those up to 45) who were not vaccinated in adolescence.
Hepatitis A and B: Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all adults who were not vaccinated as children. Hepatitis A for travellers to endemic areas and men who have sex with men.
FSME (Tick-borne encephalitis): Recommended for all residents and visitors in endemic areas of Switzerland (most of the country except Geneva and Ticino).
Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR): Adults born after 1963 should have received two doses. If documentation is missing, serological testing or catch-up vaccination is recommended.
Our Approach
Vaccination status review: I check your vaccination record, identify gaps, and recommend necessary catch-up or booster vaccinations based on Swiss BAG guidelines.
Serological testing: When vaccination history is unclear, blood tests can determine whether you are still protected against specific diseases.
Travel vaccination: Pre-travel consultation with destination-specific vaccination and prophylaxis recommendations.
Evidence-based guidance: Clear, honest information about each recommended vaccine – its benefits, risks, and the evidence behind the recommendation.
Conclusion
Staying up to date with vaccinations is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do for your health. If you are unsure about your vaccination status or are due for boosters, bring your vaccination booklet (Impfausweis) to our practice in Zürich Seefeld and we will make sure you are protected.
