Navi Mumbai: With rising cases of preventable infections among adults, Medicover Hospital has launched a dedicated Adult Vaccination Clinic in Navi Mumbai. The clinic aims to promote preventive healthcare by offering timely immunization against common and serious infections, especially among elderly individuals and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and respiratory illnesses.
Present during the clinic launch were Dr. Badal Shivnarayan Taori, Senior Consultant Physician, Diabetologist & Intensivist; Dr. Shriram Nawade, Senior Consultant Physician, Intensivist and Diabetologist; Dr. Vijeta Bagade, Senior Consultant Physician & Diabetologist; Dr. Pooja Pardhi, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist; and Dr. Prashant D. Purkar, Consultant Physician.
In today’s hectic lifestyle, adult vaccination is often overlooked, as many people believe vaccines are only necessary during childhood. However, immunity can reduce over time, and adults remain at risk of infections such as pneumonia, influenza, and shingles. With increasing age and comorbidities, these infections can lead to serious complications, hospitalisation, and long-term health issues. The newly launched clinic focuses on creating awareness and providing easy access to essential vaccines for adults.
The Adult Vaccination Clinic offers a wide range of vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccines for pneumonia prevention, annual influenza vaccines, Tdap booster doses for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, HPV vaccines for cervical cancer prevention, shingles vaccines to avoid nerve-related complications, and hepatitis B vaccines, especially for healthcare workers and unvaccinated individuals. The clinic also provides personalised vaccination plans based on age, medical history, and risk factors.
Adult vaccination plays a very important role in preventive healthcare today, especially for elderly individuals and those with underlying conditions such as diabetes and COPD. Vaccines like the pneumococcal vaccine are strongly recommended in these groups to prevent serious infections like pneumonia. Earlier, we used to give PCV 13 and PCV 23 vaccines in a sequence with a gap and periodic boosters, but now, with newer options like PCV 20, we can provide long-term protection more conveniently without the need for repeated doses. At the same time, influenza vaccination is equally important and should ideally be taken every year, preferably before the monsoon season, as flu strains keep changing annually. Another commonly overlooked vaccine is the Tdap booster for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, which should be taken every 10 years in adulthood. For women, HPV vaccination is crucial and can be given up to the age of 45 to help prevent cervical cancer.
The shingles vaccine is also recommended for older adults and immunocompromised patients, as it helps prevent not only the infection but also long-term complications like post-herpetic neuralgia, which can cause persistent nerve pain. Additionally, hepatitis B vaccination remains essential, particularly for healthcare workers and those who have not been vaccinated earlier. Overall, the approach in healthcare today is shifting more towards prevention rather than treatment. By ensuring timely adult vaccination, it is possible to reduce the risk of serious infections, complications, and hospitalizations, ultimately improving long-term health outcomes and quality of life. The clinic emphasises early vaccination, especially for individuals above 50–60 years of age and those with underlying health conditions. By focusing on prevention, it is crucial to reduce hospital admissions, complications, and healthcare burden caused by avoidable infections.
“The Adult Vaccination Clinic is an important addition to our healthcare services, aimed at increasing awareness about the importance of immunization beyond childhood. Through this initiative, we hope to encourage more adults to take proactive steps towards preventing serious infections and maintaining long-term health,” said Neeraj Lal, Regional Director for the Maharashtra and Karnataka Region at Medicover Hospitals.
“With the growing need for preventive healthcare, the launch of the Adult Vaccination Clinic is a step towards building a healthier community. By encouraging timely vaccination and awareness, we aim to protect individuals from serious infections and improve overall quality of life,” concluded Sandip Joshi (Centre Head), Medicover Hospitals, Navi Mumbai.
