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.

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.

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

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.

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 provides a vaccine schedule for adults that includes the key immunizations you should get.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Which vaccines should you consider before international travel? WebMD provides a summary of what you'll need to stay healthy abroad.