Vaccinations

Vaccinations are a way to help reduce disease and prevent morbidity and mortality associated with various diseases.

Rick Crawford getting a flu shot

List of recommended adult vaccinations

Flu vaccine

• All adults need a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine every year.
• Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and older adults.

Tdap vaccine

Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule

• Every adult should get the Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years. In addition, women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.

HPV vaccine protects against the types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) that cause most cervical, anal, and other cancers, as well as genital warts. CDC recommends:

• HPV vaccination for all preteens at age 11 or 12 years (can be given starting at age 9 years).
• HPV vaccination for everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.
• HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years.
• However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination.
• HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, as more people have already been exposed to HPV.

Over 60 vaccinations

• In addition to seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), you should also get:
• Shingles vaccine, which protects against shingles and the complications from the disease (recommended for healthy adults 50 years and older)
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), which protects against serious pneumococcal disease, including meningitis and bloodstream infections (recommended for all adults 65 years or older, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain health conditions)
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), which protects against serious pneumococcal disease and pneumonia (recommended for all adults with a condition that weakens the immune system, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant)
• Adults 65 years or older who have never received a dose of PCV13 and do not have one of the conditions described above may also discuss vaccination with their vaccine provider to decide if PCV13 is appropriate for them.

I got my shot

Immunocompromised vaccines

If you have any of the following, you may need additional vaccines:

• Asplenia
• Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2
• Heart disease, Stroke, or Other Cardiovascular Disease
• HIV Infection
• Liver disease
• Lung disease including asthma
• Renal disease
• Weakened immune system

MMR vaccine

Pregnant women

• Tdap vaccine (between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy — preferably during the earlier part of this time period) to help protect against whooping cough, and
• The flu shot (during flu season, which is October through May) to help protect against influenza.
• You may also need other vaccines.

Healthcare workers vaccines

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk for exposure to serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. If you work directly with patients or handle material that could spread infection, you should get appropriate vaccines to reduce the chance that you will get or spread vaccine-preventable diseases.

In addition to seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), you should also get:

1. 1. Hepatitis B vaccine: If you don’t have documented evidence of a complete hepB vaccine series, or if you don’t have an up-to-date blood test that shows you are immune to hepatitis B (i.e., no serologic evidence of immunity or prior vaccination) then you should get the 3-dose series (dose #1 now, #2 in 1 month, #3 approximately 5 months after #2). Get anti-HBs serologic tested 1–2 months after dose
2. 2. MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella): If you were born in 1957 or later and have not had the MMR vaccine, or if you don’t have an up-to-date blood test that shows you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella (i.e., no serologic evidence of immunity or prior vaccination), get 2 doses of MMR, 4 weeks apart.
3. 3. Varicella vaccine (Chickenpox): If you have not had chickenpox (varicella), if you haven’t had varicella vaccine, or if you don’t have an up-to-date blood test that shows you are immune to varicella (i.e., no serologic evidence of immunity or prior vaccination) get 2 doses of varicella vaccine, 4 weeks apart.
4. 4. Meningococcal vaccine: Those who are routinely exposed to isolates of N. meningitidis should get one dose.