Hi, thank you for your question. Yes, it is true that there are vaccines available for respiratory tract infections. When you were a child, you received these vaccines for respiratory tract infections. However, the effect of the vaccines will wear off over time. You need these vaccinations in adulthood based on specific needs or conditions.

For adult, the common vaccines for respiratory tract infections are pneumococcal vaccines and influenza vaccines. Before having these injections, doctor will evaluate your age, lifestyle, travelling destinations or vaccines received in the past. These vaccines help to induce active immunity in your body against the specific infections, such as streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza virus. Pneumococcal vaccines protect you from getting streptococcus pneumoniae infections that can cause pneumonia, sepsis or meningitis.

Influenza vaccination is given to high risk groups, such as elderly >65 years old, high risk of getting complications from influenza infections, patient with low immunity and young children. Healthcare providers will receive the injections if they have high risk of getting the infections in the hospital settings. In short, this vaccine is given to people who are at risk of getting, transmitting and developing complications from the infections. Most vaccinations are safe with mild side effects such as swelling, redness or some pain over the injection site. Severe side effects such as anaphylaxis is quite rare.

In allergic rhinitis patient, the need for vaccination depends on your frequency of getting influenza infections. Influenza infection or allergic rhinitis can cause uncomfort symptoms such as nose block, sneezing and watery eyes. If there is fever, it is highly likely to have influenza infections. In your case, please talk to your doctor for more information regarding the need for vaccination.