Adult Vaccines Medical Reference

Discover how variolation was used to prevent the spread of smallpox. Learn the steps and risks involved with this medical technique and how it was replaced with the smallpox vaccination.

Ring vaccination is a vaccination strategy that health experts use to reduce the spread of a disease. Find out how it works.

What is natural immunity? Is it active or passive? How does vaccine-induced immunity work? Here’s what to know about your body’s defense system.

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) helps the CDC and FDA spot possible safety problems with vaccines licensed in the U.S. Learn more about how it works.

SIRVA stands for shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Here’s what you need to know about this rare injury, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Do HIPAA laws bar employers from asking you whether you’ve gotten the COVID-19 vaccine? Learn more about how these laws work.

For most vaccinations, you need more than one shot for the best protection against disease. Learn more about vaccine boosters and why you need them.

It's important to treat whooping cough (pertussis) early in your illness to keep the illness from getting worse. Learn about antibiotics that fight your infection and find out what you can do at home to prevent whooping cough from spreading to your family.

Learn the symptoms of whooping cough and find out how your doctor will confirm that you have the disease.

Mumps was once a common childhood virus. But can adults get it, too? Learn what might put you at risk and how you can reduce your chances of getting this once-common infection.

Planning a trip to India? WebMD lets you know which vaccines you’ll need and why.

Answers to your questions about the tetanus and the vaccine to prevent it.

WebMD explains flu shots and flu nasal spray for adults, including who should get them, when, and the benefits and side effects of influenza vaccines.

WebMD explains the MMR vaccine for adults, including who should get it and possible side effects.

WebMD explains why adults should receive the Tdap and Td vaccines, which prevent diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus.

WebMD explains the meningococcal vaccine for adults, including who should get it, why, and possible side effects.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Learn how some adults can get a vaccination to protect themselves.

Learn more from WebMD about the adult chickenpox vaccine, including its benefits and side effects.

How much does the flu vaccine reduce the odds of getting the flu? Get flu facts from WebMD.

Flu shots are a good idea, especially before the winter holidays. WebMD provides you with a handy tip sheet about the flu vaccine.

Adults need immunizations, too. Find out which ones you may need.

Vaccines can be an important tool in helping fight infections in those with HIV or AIDS. Find out which immunizations you need and what to avoid.

WebMD explains what the flu vaccine is and whether it’s effective against all types of flu viruses including the recent outbreak of swine flu, as well as bird flu and types A, B, and C.