Peerless Hospital stresses adult immunization, says vaccination should continue beyond childhood
Guwahati,Rongili Barta: On the occasion of World Immunization Week, Peerless Hospital highlighted the importance of making immunization a lifelong priority, stressing that vaccines are not just for children, but are equally important for adults to ensure healthier lives and stronger communities.
World Immunization Week is observed globally to raise awareness about the life-saving power of vaccines, build confidence in vaccines, and strengthen immunization systems worldwide. It also reminds families to check whether the vaccination records of all family members are up to date. A noteworthy fact here is that over the last 50 years, vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives worldwide.
In India, a large section of people still believe that vaccines are only meant for children, or that if they are healthy enough, they do not need immunization. The 2026 theme of World Immunization Week, “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” is an important reminder that vaccines are necessary throughout life and not just during childhood.
“Adult immunization strongly recommended by the Government of India, the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as it helps prevent diseases, reduces comorbidities, lowers mortality, and contributes to building a stronger and more resilient society,” said Dr. Asif Iqbal Hussain, Senior Consultant (Internal Medicine) at Peerless Hospital Guwahati.
He said some of the most important vaccines adults should take include Influenza, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, Pneumococcal, MMR, Varicella, COVID-19, RSV, and Typhoid vaccines. Many people assume childhood vaccinations provide lifelong protection, but several vaccines require booster doses later in life, ranging from annual doses to boosters every five or ten years.
“When people work in high-stress environments, travel frequently, or have chronic health conditions, the need for these vaccines increases manifold. What people often fail to realise is that vaccination protects not just you, but also your elderly family members, young children, and others who may be more vulnerable due to comorbidities,” Dr. Hussain said.
He added that vaccines help prevent infections that cause or worsen serious conditions like HPV-related cancers, Hepatitis B-induced liver disease, and influenza and pneumococcal-related heart and lung complications. Vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal infections, and RSV are especially important for people with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and other pre-existing conditions, as they help reduce severe complications, hospitalization, and even mortality.
Addressing vaccine hesitancy, Dr. Hussain said fear, misinformation, and lack of awareness continue to remain major barriers, especially in rural and remote parts of India. Common myths include vaccines causing infertility, autism, or even the disease they are meant to prevent, while many people still believe natural immunity is always better.
“These myths are often spread through unreliable sources, despite vaccines being safe and effective. By keeping yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself and your family, but also contributing significantly to public health through herd immunity, which helps control many communicable diseases,” he added.
Dr. Hussain also pointed out that awareness around vaccination has increased significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people now becoming conscious about preventive healthcare and regular immunization.
Dr. Gautam Kr. Das, CEO of Peerless Hospital Guwahati, said hospitals today need to move beyond treatment and focus more on preventive healthcare. “At Peerless Hospital, we believe healthcare should begin before illness. Immunization is one of the strongest preventive tools available today. Our role is not only to treat diseases, but also to create awareness, improve access, and encourage people to make preventive healthcare a regular part of life. Adult immunization, especially, needs much more attention in India,” he said.
Vaccines are available across both government and private healthcare institutions, including Peerless Hospital, where several government healthcare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat are applicable. Timely vaccination can prevent many serious illnesses that otherwise require hospitalization, making immunization not just a health decision, but also an economic one for families.
As healthcare gradually shifts from reactive treatment to prevention, institutions like Peerless Hospital are positioning themselves not only as treatment centres, but as long-term health partners. Adult immunization offers a rare advantage—the power to prevent before illness begins.