Getting Your Shots as an Adult: Brief Version

What shots do I need?

As an adult you need shots to protect you from tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis). You may need other vaccines as well, such as the flu, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines.

It is important to keep up to date with your shots. That way you can stay as healthy as possible. It helps reduce your risk of serious health problems.

Tetanus happens when bacteria get into your body through a cut, scrape, or hole in the skin. Whooping cough spreads from one person to another through coughing and sneezing. It spreads easily and can be a dangerous infection. One shot can protect you against both tetanus and whooping cough.

Flu is an infection that causes:

• Fever.
• Headaches.
• Body aches and pains.
• Sore throat and cough.

It’s easy to get the flu and pass it to someone else. The flu can turn into pneumonia. Every year, many older adults die from flu or pneumonia.

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus. Anyone who had chickenpox as a child can get shingles. Sometimes the pain lasts for a long time after the rash is gone.

When should I get my shots?

Here's what you should do:

Tetanus/pertussis. Get the 3-shot series if you didn't get the shots when you were a child.

• Start with the first shot now.
• Have the second shot 4 to 8 weeks later.
• Get the third shot 6 to 12 months after that.

Everyone who has had the 3-shot series, as a child or adult, should:

• Get a booster shot every 10 years.
• Get a booster shot if you get a cut, scrape, bite, or puncture wound more than 5 years after your last shot.

Influenza (flu). Get the flu shot every October.

Some healthy people under the age of 50 can get the vaccine in a nasal spray. You cannot use the spray if you are pregnant or over 50. Ask your healthcare provider about this.

Pneumococcal pneumonia. Get this shot if you:

• Are 65 or older
• Are younger than 65 and have a serious medical problem, such as diabetes or kidney or lung disease.

Shingles. Get this shot if you are 60 years old or older. It can help prevent shingles. It can also lessen the pain caused by shingles.

What about other shots?

You may want to think about getting shots for:

Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver by a virus. Ask your healthcare provider if this shot would be a good idea for you. If your provider thinks you should have the shot:

• Get a second shot 1 to 2 months after the first shot.
• Get a third shot 4 to 6 months after the first shot.

Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is also a viral infection of the liver. You may need the hepatitis A shots if you are at risk--for example, through travel, your job, or your lifestyle. Two shots are given 6 to 18 months apart.

You can ask if the combined hepatitis A and B shot is available at your healthcare provider’s office or clinic. The combined vaccine can be given to adults 18 and older. Three shots are given over 6 months.

Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR). Rubella (German measles) can cause severe birth defects if the mother is infected during pregnancy. Women need 1 MMR shot at least 28 days before they get pregnant if they:

• Have never had rubella.
• Have never had the MMR shot.

If you are thinking about getting pregnant, ask your healthcare provider if you need a measles shot.

Chickenpox. If you have not had chickenpox, ask your healthcare provider about this shot. Chickenpox can be a serious illness in adults.

Human papillomavirus, also called HPV. This shot is for young women and men who are 9 to 26 years old. It stops infection with a virus that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Three shots are given over 6 months.

Shots for travel. You may need shots for other diseases if you travel to other countries. Ask your healthcare provider or public health department what shots you may need.

Where can I get the shots?

You can get your shots at:

• Your healthcare provider's office.
• A clinic.
• Your local health department.

If you'd like to find out more about it:

You can call your local health department.

Or you can contact:

Immunization Action Coalition
Phone: (651) 647-9009
Web site: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/adults.asp.