Vaccines for Most Adults

If you work in a school, you might be exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases carried by unvaccinated students. Protecting yourself through vaccination is also the best way to prevent the spread of these illnesses to children and adults in your community who may not have been immunized.

Together with their healthcare provider, adults should consider whether they need any of the following vaccinations:

Flu
Most adults, especially parents and those who work with children, should get the flu shot annually. Each year, researchers identify the strains of the flu that they think will be most common during a given season and formulate the flu vaccine for that year.

In addition you may need a vaccination for emerging flu strains, which may not be included in the vaccine for a particular season. For example, in the spring of 2009, a new flu virus emerged on a global scale: the H1N1 virus. Though most people who have become ill with H1N1 have recovered without requiring medical treatment, some groups are thought to be particularly at risk, like pregnant women.

In general, getting immunized each year (either through the vaccine or the nasal spray immunization, FluMist) and practicing good hand washing are the best ways to prevent the flu. Be sure to talk to your doctor about whether you should also receive the new H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.

Chickenpox
Adults should also review whether they are immune to chickenpox (varicella). Chickenpox can be a serious illness if you are an adult. About 1 in 50 adults who get chickenpox is hospitalized.

If you have already had chickenpox, you do not need the vaccine. But if you have not developed immunity (either through prior illness or vaccination), you should be vaccinated if your health allows.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
Adults should know when they were last immunized for tetanus (lock jaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). The Tdap vaccine protects adults against these illnesses.

Adults already immunized as children should receive booster shots of Td every 10 years to ensure that they remain protected against the first two illnesses. The CDC recommends that a one-time booster shot of Tdap replace one of these Td boosters to ensure additional protection against whooping cough. Individuals who have not previously been immunized for these diseases should receive two doses of Td and one dose of Tdap, then booster shots of Td every 10 years.

Other Vaccine-Preventable Illnesses
Depending upon your lifestyle and occupation, you may also need the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and/or meningococcal vaccines.


Vaccination for Adults

Vaccines for Women

Vaccines for Older Adults and those with Chronic Illness

H1N1 Information

Vaccine Home