Immunizations - Recommendations and resources for active patients

Although childhood vaccination rates are at an all-time high, those for ado lescents and adults are suboptimal. Ali adolescents and adults should be im munized against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus, and diphtheria , and many should also receive hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, and pne umococcal vaccines. In addition, active patients who engage in outdoor acti vities may benefit from vaccination against Lyme and meningococcal disease. Regular, strenuous exercise and foreign travel may increase the risk of so me infectious diseases. Athletes often see a physician only for sports phys ical exams and injuries, so It Is important for providers to take the oppor tunity to vaccinate patients during these visits.