Adult Vaccinations in Calgary

Dukoral is an oral vaccine used for protection against cholera and may reduce the risk of traveller's diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli. It is not a substitute for careful food, water, and hand hygiene.

• Who may benefit: travellers visiting destinations where cholera risk or relevant traveller's diarrhea risk is present.
• Planning: the primary course commonly involves two oral doses for adults, with timing completed before travel.
• Pharmacy guidance: suitability depends on destination, age, health history, timing, and current product guidance.

Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food or water and can cause inflammation of the liver. Vaccination is commonly considered for international travel and for people with selected health or exposure risks.

• Who may benefit: travellers, people with chronic liver disease, and others with increased exposure risk.
• Schedule: a two-dose series is common, with the later dose supporting longer-term protection.
• Travel timing: book early, but ask even if departure is approaching because a pharmacist can assess available options.

Hepatitis B can cause acute or long-term liver disease. Adult vaccination may be recommended because of travel, work, household exposure, medical care abroad, lifestyle, or health-related risk.

• Who may benefit: travellers and adults with occupational, medical, household, or other exposure risks.
• Schedule: several doses are usually required; standard and accelerated schedules may be available depending on the product and circumstances.
• Records review: bring any previous hepatitis vaccination information so unnecessary doses can be avoided.

Twinrix combines hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination in one series. It can be convenient for adults who need protection against both infections for travel or other risks.

• Who may benefit: travellers and other adults who are not adequately protected against either hepatitis A or B.
• Schedule: a three-dose standard series is common; an accelerated option may be considered when time is limited.
• Assessment: previous doses, departure date, age, and health history affect the recommended plan.

Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection associated with contaminated food and water. Vaccination may be advised for travel to destinations where typhoid is common, especially when sanitation or safe food access may be limited.

• Who may benefit: travellers visiting higher-risk regions or staying with local communities.
• Options: injectable and oral products have different schedules, age requirements, and booster timing.
• Important: vaccination does not replace careful food and water precautions.

Rabies is transmitted through bites, scratches, or saliva exposure from infected mammals and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. Pre-exposure vaccination simplifies, but does not replace, urgent medical care after an exposure.

• Who may benefit: travellers with animal exposure risk, limited access to prompt medical care, longer stays, or relevant occupational risks.
• Schedule: pre-exposure vaccination requires a series planned around your risk and departure date.
• After exposure: wash the area thoroughly and seek urgent medical assessment even if previously vaccinated.

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral infection found in parts of Asia and the western Pacific. Risk varies greatly with destination, season, trip length, accommodations, and rural or outdoor exposure.

• Who may benefit: longer-stay travellers and people with substantial rural, agricultural, camping, or nighttime exposure in risk areas.
• Schedule: the primary series usually requires two doses; age and product guidance determine timing.
• Prevention: mosquito-bite precautions remain essential even after vaccination.

Meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis and bloodstream infection. Vaccine type depends on age, previous doses, medical risk, living circumstances, travel destination, and entry requirements.

• Who may benefit: selected travellers, people living in close quarters, and adults with certain medical or occupational risks.
• Travel: some destinations or events require proof of a specific meningococcal vaccine.
• Schedule: one dose may be used in some situations, while boosters are recommended for continuing risk.

Most Canadian adults received a childhood polio series, but travel to areas where poliovirus is circulating may create a need for a record review or booster. Some countries may also have documentation requirements.

• Who may benefit: adults with incomplete records and travellers visiting outbreak or higher-risk areas.
• Planning: recommendations depend on prior doses, itinerary, length of stay, and current international notices.
• Documentation: bring any childhood or travel immunization records to your appointment.

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness found in parts of Africa and South America. Vaccination may be recommended for health protection or required for entry based on your route and destination.

• Who may benefit: eligible travellers visiting yellow-fever risk areas or countries with certificate requirements.
• Assessment: age, pregnancy, immune status, allergies, itinerary, and timing must be reviewed carefully.
• Certificate: designated centres can provide the International Certificate of Vaccination when appropriate.

Influenza vaccination is updated seasonally and helps reduce the likelihood of flu and serious complications. It is especially important for people at increased risk and those who could transmit influenza to them.

• Who may benefit: annual influenza vaccination is recommended for most adults who do not have a contraindication.
• Timing: vaccination is offered each flu season; later vaccination may still be useful while influenza is circulating.
• Visit planning: eligibility, public supply, and product availability vary during the season.

Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox reactivates. It can cause a painful rash and persistent nerve pain. Vaccination lowers the risk of shingles and its complications.

• Who may benefit: adults are assessed based on age, immune status, medical history, and current recommendations.
• Schedule: the commonly used shingles vaccine is given as a two-dose series.
• Previous shingles: people who have had shingles may still be advised to receive vaccination after appropriate timing.

Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infection, and meningitis. Adult recommendations depend on age, previous pneumococcal vaccines, and medical risk factors.

• Who may benefit: older adults and younger adults with selected chronic conditions, immune risks, or other indications.
• Product choice: more than one pneumococcal vaccine is available, and the appropriate sequence depends on vaccination history.
• Coverage: public funding and private insurance eligibility vary.

Adults need ongoing protection against tetanus and diphtheria, and may need pertussis protection through a Tdap vaccine. Recommendations can also change during pregnancy, after certain wounds, or because of work and close-contact risks.

• Who may benefit: adults due for a routine booster, people with incomplete records, and those with specific pregnancy, wound, or exposure considerations.
• Schedule: booster timing is based on age, prior doses, reason for vaccination, and current guidance.
• Wound care: urgent wounds require medical assessment; do not delay care while looking for vaccination records.

MMR is a combined live vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Adults without adequate evidence of immunity may need one or more doses depending on age, records, work, travel, and outbreak risk.

• Who may benefit: adults with incomplete records, healthcare or educational exposure, or international travel plans.
• Assessment: pregnancy and immune-system conditions are important because MMR is a live vaccine.
• Records: bring documented doses or laboratory evidence if available.

HPV vaccination helps protect against human papillomavirus types associated with several cancers and genital warts. Adults who did not complete vaccination earlier may still benefit after a personalized discussion.

• Who may benefit: adolescents and adults based on age, previous doses, personal risk, and shared clinical decision-making.
• Schedule: the number and spacing of doses depend on age at the first dose and immune status.
• Coverage: public programs and private insurance criteria vary.

Respiratory syncytial virus can cause serious lower-respiratory illness, particularly in older adults and people with certain health risks. Current recommendations use age, health, living situation, and seasonal timing to guide vaccination.

• Who may benefit: eligible older adults and selected people at increased risk of severe RSV disease.
• Assessment: product recommendations, timing, availability, and coverage can change.
• Planning: discuss RSV alongside influenza, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccination.