Recommended immunizations

Your need for immunizations does not end when you reach adulthood. The specific shots (injections) you need as an adult are determined by factors such as your age, gender, lifestyle, type and locations of travel, overall health, and previous immunizations. Tetanus and diphtheria shots need to be repeated every 10 years throughout adulthood in order to maintain immunity.

The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend a specific adult immunization schedule each year.

Your doctor will consider your medical and immunization history (and documentation) when deciding which shots you need.

To print a list of which shots you may need, go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) interactive Web site at www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultImmSched.

Immunizations given during adulthood may include:

Chickenpox (varicella) (What is a PDF document?)

This shot, called Varivax, protects against chickenpox. Chickenpox infection can be very serious when it occurs after childhood.

Who should get it?

• Adults who are not already immune to the chickenpox virus need two doses, given at least 4 weeks apart.
• Women who don't have evidence of immunity and recently gave birth should get this shot.

Pregnant women and people with immune system problems should not get this shot.

Hepatitis A (Hep A) (What is a PDF document?)

This shot protects against hepatitis A.

Who should get it?

• Adults who will be traveling to certain foreign countries, such as those in Central or South America, need two doses given at least 6 months apart.
• Adults who have certain risk factors, such as long-term (chronic) liver disease, also need this shot.

Hepatitis B (Hep B) (What is a PDF document?)

This shot protects against hepatitis B.

Who should get it?

• Adults who have not received the vaccine series for hepatitis B need this shot when occupation, travel, health condition, or lifestyle increases their risk of exposure.

Three or four doses are needed over at least 4 months.

A hepatitis combination vaccine (Twinrix) is recommended for those who are at risk for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. This vaccine is approved in the United States only for those 18 years of age or older.

Inactivated influenza (flu) shot (What is a PDF document?) or nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist)(What is a PDF document?)

This immunization helps protect against the flu. Flu viruses are always changing, so the flu vaccines are updated every year. Protection lasts up to a year for both vaccine types.

Who should get it?

• Women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season; adults 50 years of age and older; and people with a chronic health condition, such as asthma, diabetes, chronic heart or lung disorders, or an impaired immune system (which puts them at high risk for complications of the flu), need this immunization.
• Household contacts and caregivers of all children younger than 5 years old and close contacts of others who are at high risk for complications of the flu also need this immunization each year.
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities need this immunization each year.
• Anyone who wants to reduce the chance of becoming ill with the flu or spreading it to others should get immunized.⁶