Article Sections
Introduction
Introduction
Review the vaccines that you've had, and talk to your doctor about any additional vaccines that you may need.
Click on the tabs to the left to read about adult vaccines.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia
Who should have the pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine?
Get the pneumonia vaccine if you:
- Are 65 or older
- Have a chronic illness such as lung or cardiovascular disease, or diabetes
- Have a weakened immune system
- Have had your spleen removed
When and how often?
Get one dose of the vaccine at any time. You may need a second dose if you:
- Are age 65 or older and received your first dose before age 65 and five years or more ago
- Have a weakened immune system, kidney disease, or have had an organ or bone marrow transplant or your spleen removed
Who shouldn't have it?
Consult with your doctor if you have a moderate or severe acute illness.
Meningitis
Meningitis
Who should have the meningitis (meningococcal) vaccine?
If you didn't already receive the meningitis vaccine as a child or adolescent, get the vaccine if you:
- Are a college freshman living in a dormitory
- Travel to areas of the world with a high incidence of meningitis
- Have had your spleen removed
When and how often?
One dose, which you can get anytime. It's not known whether a booster shot is needed.
Who shouldn't have it?
Most healthy adults do not require this vaccine on a routine basis, but it may be recommended if you are at high risk or an outbreak occurs in your community.
Measles, mumps and rubella
Measles, mumps and rubella
Who should have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine?
If you were born during or after 1957 and never had an MMR vaccination, you need to get one dose now. The following people need two doses:
- Those recently exposed to measles or in an outbreak setting
- Health care workers
- People vaccinated with killed measles vaccine or an unknown type of vaccine from 1963 to 1967
- Travelers
- College students and health care workers
- People who have had a rubella blood test that shows no immunity
When and how often?
One or two doses at any age, for life.
Who shouldn't get it?
Adults born before 1957 are considered immune to measles. Do not get an MMR vaccination if you have a weakened immune system or you are pregnant or may become pregnant within four weeks of the vaccine.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A
Who should have the hepatitis A vaccine?
Get the vaccine if you want one, or if you:
- Have a clotting factor disorder
- Have chronic liver disease
- Are a man who has sex with other men
- Inject illegal drugs or have sex with someone who does
- Are a health care worker who might be exposed to the virus in a lab setting
- Travel or work in countries with a high incidence of hepatitis
When and how often?
You need two doses — you'll receive the second dose between six and 18 months after the first. Hepatitis A vaccine can be combined with the hepatitis B vaccine in a three-dose series.
Who shouldn't have it?
Don't get a vaccination if you're moderately or severely ill or you've had an allergic reaction to the vaccine or its components before.
Herpes Zoster (shingles)
Herpes Zoster (shingles)
Who should have the shingles vaccine?
Consider the shingles vaccine if you are over the age of 60.
When and how often?
One dose, once in your life.
Who shouldn't have it?
Don't get this vaccine if you are pregnant, moderately sick or you've ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin or any other component of the shingles vaccine. Avoid it if you have a weakened immune system from HIV/AIDS, are receiving medical treatments such as steroids, radiation and chemotherapy, have a history of bone or lymphatic cancer, or you have active, untreated tuberculosis.
Last Updated: 06/04/2008
