Vaccines for Women

Several vaccines are important for women to receive, especially women of childbearing age.

Women Age 26 and Younger
These women should receive the HPV vaccine, which prevents the strains of the human papillomavirus that cause most cases of cervical cancer. About 10,000 women per year in the U.S. will develop cervical cancer, and about 500,000 women will experience serious cervical lesions that may need treatment.

Though the vaccine is highly effective in preventing many forms of HPV, it does not protect against all types of the virus that causes cervical cancer, therefore, women should continue to get regular Pap tests even after vaccination.

Women Planning a Pregnancy
Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant should consider their risk for chickenpox and rubella (German measles). If you have no proof of immunity to these infections (either through prior illness or vaccination) you should get vaccinated before becoming pregnant.

Pregnant women who get chickenpox shortly before or after giving birth can have babies with severe complications; one-third of the babies born to infected mothers will die if they do not receive immediate treatment. Rubella during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Women should not receive the chickenpox or MMR vaccines during pregnancy.

Pregnant Women
Women who will be pregnant during the flu season should consider getting the flu vaccine while pregnant. Recent research shows that when the mother is immunized, some protection against the flu may pass to the unborn child. Pregnant women should not receive the nasal spray vaccine, however, as this contains weakened live virus.

Pregnant women who have not had a Td booster in 2 or more years should have a Tdap vaccination after delivery to protect their newborns from pertussis (whooping cough) exposure. Infants are particularly susceptible to pertussis before they receive their full series of vaccinations. 

Vaccinations for Adults

Vaccines for Most Adults

Vaccines for Older Adults and those with Chronic Illness

H1N1 Information

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