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Recommendations
Additional
Information for Adolescent and Adult Vaccines
Additional
information and special considerations about vaccines recommended
for anyone 11 years of age and older
Introduction.
This page provides information about vaccines recommended for
adolescents and adults. Recommendations for adolescent and adult
vaccinations vary from person to person because so many factors
affect adult health. Discuss your need for vaccinations with
your doctor or healthcare professional and check
links on this page to find out more about
the vaccines you need. |
Contents of this page: General
Considerations | Health, Lifestyle,
and Work Status | Specific Vaccines
| More Info
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General
Considerations |
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Health,
Lifestyle, and Work Status |
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Specific
Vaccines |
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More Information: related pages, sites, and contacts |
- Vaccines
for Adults
- Adult
Vaccination Schedule
- Vaccine-preventable
Adult Diseases
- Vaccines
for Travelers, the CDC Traveler’s Health web site
- Adolescent
and Adult Immunization
For adolescent and adult immunization information and educational
materials, visit the Immunization Action Coalition web site
(http://www.immunize.org/index.htm)
(exit
site)
- Childhood
Immunization
For childhood immunization and educational materials, see
the Childhood Schedule Information
on this site or visit the Immunization Action Coalition
web site: http://www.immunize.org/index.htm
(exit site)
- General
Information about Vaccines. For general information
about vaccinations, call the CDC Information Contact
Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. (EST).
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO
(1-800-232-4636) for information in English and Spanish
(en Español)
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Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) -
To find out more about recommended childhood, adult, and
adolescent vaccines, look for Vaccine
Information Statements on this web site. For copies
of VISs in many languages, visit the Immunization Action
Coalition website: http://www.immunize.org/vis/
(exit
site)
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Considerations
for all adults |
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Even
when a vaccine is recommended, you may or may not need to receive
it. You should consider the factors listed here and discuss them
with your doctor or healthcare professional.
-
You
may have already received all recommended doses of a certain
vaccine; in this case, you may not need additional doses.
-
You
may recently have had a booster dose of a certain vaccine.
-
If you have had the disease already, you don’t need the
vaccine. This applies to the following diseases:
-
measles
-
mumps
-
rubella (German measles)
-
chickenpox
-
hepatitis A
-
hepatitis B
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Considerations
for adolescents (if you are 11 to 18 years of age) |
Many
teens and pre-teens still get sick with vaccine-preventable diseases
such as chickenpox and measles. Although these are thought of as
"childhood" diseases, anyone who is not vaccinated or
immune can be infected by these diseases. Some of these diseases,
like hepatitis B, can have serious consequences. If you are age
11-12 years old or a teenager and you have not had a recent visit
with your doctor to discuss vaccination or your overall health,
see your doctor or healthcare professional to talk about your
- health
status
- possible
risk factors for vaccine-preventable disease
- recommended
immunizations (could include chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella
or German measles, tetanus, diphtheria, polio,
or flu)
- complete
vaccination for hepatitis B (series of 3 doses)
- possible
vaccination for hepatitis A (series of 2 doses) and meningitis
Some
schools and colleges require specific immunizations for admission,
and this can be especially important for older adolescents.
For
more information about vaccinations for adolescents,
see Vaccines
for Teens and College Students and review the recommended Childhood
and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. You
can also check the Catch-up
Schedule for information about missed vaccinations, including
vaccines to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps,
rubella, hepatitis B virus infection, and chickenpox.
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If
you are pregnant |
- You
need influenza vaccine if you will be pregnant
during the flu season. In the United States, flu season generally
lasts from December through March; sometimes the season lasts
until April. One shot given in the fall
is recommended, and you can be vaccinated at any time during your
pregnancy. If you have an allergy to eggs, discuss your
allergy with your doctor and ask for advice about getting a flu
shot.
-
Check with your doctor to find out if you need hepatitis
B vaccine. You may need it because of your age or for
lifestyle reasons. You should also be screened for hepatitis B
virus infection. If your test is positive, your baby should receive
hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin at birth.
-
You should not receive measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and
chickenpox vaccines. If you need these shots, wait until
after delivery to get them. MMR is recommended
for individuals born in 1957 or later and chickenpox for individuals
born in the U. S. in 1966 or later. Both MMR and chickenpox vaccines
are recommended for college students, healthcare workers, and
international travelers unless they have written proof of immunization
or proof of immunity.
For
more information about MMR, flu, and chickenpox vaccines
and who should get them, see Vaccines
for Adults.
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If
you work in a clinic, daycare, school, hospital, or institution |
You
need vaccines not only to protect yourself from infection but to prevent
the spread of infection to the people you care for or work with.
- Possible
exposures. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended if, through
your work, you are exposed to blood or bodily fluids.
- Work
with young children. If
you work with or care for young children, it is especially important
that you remain immune to vaccine-preventable childhood diseases
yourself so that you can't infect children who might not be fully
vaccinated. These diseases include chickenpox, measles, mumps,
rubella (German measles), and flu.
- Work
with the elderly. If you work with the elderly or with
those who require chronic care or treatments that suppress the
immune system, it is important that you are fully protected against
vaccine-preventable diseases so that you do not infect those in
your care or your co-workers. These diseases include measles,
chickenpox, and flu.
- Work
in a school. If you work in a school setting, you are
encouraged to consider a yearly flu vaccination and to make sure
all vaccinations are up to date. You might be exposed to vaccine-preventable
diseases carried by unvaccinated children, or you might be a carrier
who infects unvaccinated children and spreads disease to them
and their close contacts.
- Work
in an institution. If
you work in a hospital, or in a prison, jail, or corrective institution,
many of the patients, inmates, or residents may not be fully vaccinated
or may be at high risk for certain vaccine-preventable diseases.
Make sure you are up to date with vaccines so that you are fully
protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and so that you do
not act as a carrier for these diseases, which include measles,
mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and flu.
- Work
in a clinic or healthcare setting. If you work in clinic
or healthcare professional's office, you may interact with clients
or patients who are particularly susceptible to disease or at
high risk for complications from some diseases. To protect yourself,
the people
you care for, and your
colleagues, make sure that you have all the vaccines you need,
including annual influenza vaccination. When you are properly
vaccinated, you protect yourself from sickness and you avoid acting
as a carrier for diseases.
For
more information about chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella,
flu, and hepatitis B vaccines and who should get them, see Vaccines
for Adults.
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If
you are traveling internationally |
- You
need hepatitis A vaccine (2 shots) if you are traveling to areas
where hepatitis A is widespread. Some international travel is
considered low risk. If you are traveling to Canada, western Europe,
Japan, Australia, or New Zealand, you are at no greater risk for
hepatitis A virus infection than in the U.S.
- You
need one dose of meningococcal vaccine if you are traveling to
a country where meningitis is widespread. See Meningococcal Disease for more information.
- You
need 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
vaccine unless you have already had 2 doses of vaccine, your blood
tests show that you are immune to all three diseases, or you were
born before 1957.
- You need 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine if you have never had chickenpox nor received the chickenpox vaccine.
- If
you are pregnant, you should not receive MMR or chickenpox
vaccines. If you need these vaccines, wait until after you deliver
your baby.
- Depending
on the country or countries you are visiting, you may need additional
vaccinations. You can find immunization recommendations for specific
countries on the CDC Traveler’s
Health web site. Talk with your doctor about any other shots
you may need.
For
more information about vaccines for hepatitis A, meningitis, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), or chickenpox (varicella) and who should get them, see the vaccine information statements for these vaccines.
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HIV
and vaccinations |
People
with HIV have special needs for the protection vaccines offer, but
some vaccines may not be appropriate for them. If HIV is a health
concern for you or someone you know, discuss any need for the vaccines
listed here with a doctor or healthcare professional.
- Chickenpox
(varicella)
You should check with your doctor or healthcare professional to
find out if you need chickenpox vaccine. This vaccine is not give
if your immune system is severely weakened or if you are pregnant.
- Hib
(Haemophilus Influenzae type B)
Most adolescents and adults do not need Hib vaccine. However,
people with HIV may need this vaccine. Ask your doctor or healthcare
professional about your need for this vaccine.
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Chickenpox
(varicella) vaccine |
Chickenpox
vaccine is recommended for anyone born in the U.S. in 1980 or later
who has never had chickenpox or has not been vaccinated against
chickenpox. The vaccine is recommended for
- Anyone
11 to 18 years old
- Adults
born in the U.S. in 1980 or later
- Healthcare
workers born in the U.S. before 1980 who do not have evidence
of immunity (i.e., documentation of vaccination, history of disease,
laboratory evidence of immunity, laboratory confirmation of disease, or history of herpes zoster based on healthcare provider diagnosis) should consider vaccination against chickenpox.
The
vaccine should not be given to
- Anyone
who is pregnant. If
you are pregnant, you should not receive chickenpox
vaccine. Wait until after delivery of your baby to get this vaccine.
- Individuals
with severely weakened immune systems.
Chickenpox
can be a serious illness for people more than 14 years old.
For
more information about this topic, see the Chickenpox
Vaccine Information Statement
(VIS) or
Chickenpox VIS for screen-reader devices
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Flu
(influenza) vaccine |
Many
adults need flu vaccine once a year and should get the vaccine in
the fall. Flu vaccine protects against flu (influenza) and serious
complications of the flu, such as pneumonia. Groups for whom the
vaccine is especially recommended include
- Persons
aged 50 years and older
- Women
who will be pregnant during the flu season
- Any
person with a long-term health condition, including heart, lung,
or kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, anemia or other blood disorders,
HIV/AIDS, and persons undergoing therapies that suppress the immune
system
- Healthcare
workers (doctor, nurse, clinic attendant, EM personnel, etc.)
- Residents
of long-term care facilities
- People
who can spread influenza to those at high risk such as household
contacts and out-of-home caretakers of children 0 through 4 years
of age or anyone who is in close contact with people at risk for
serious complications from influenza
- People
with certain muscle or nerve disorders, such as seizure disorder,
severe cerebral palsy, or spinal cord trauma, which can cause
breathing or swallowing problems
- People
6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (these
people could develop Reye Syndrome if they got the flu)
Flu
vaccine should be considered for the following:
- Students
or other persons in institutional settings (e.g., those who reside
in dormitories)
- Travelers
at risk for complications of influenza who go to areas where influenza
activity exists or who travel in organized tour groups
Caution:
If you have an allergy to eggs, discuss your allergy with your doctor
and ask for advice about getting a flu shot.
For
more information about this vaccine and who should get
it, see the Flu Vaccine
Information Statement
(VIS) or (Flu
VIS for screen-reader devices. You can also visit
the CDC Flu website.
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Hepatitis
A vaccine |
You
may need hepatitis A vaccine if
- You
have certain chronic medical conditions, such as chronic liver
disease
Hepatitis
A vaccine protects against hepatitis A virus infection, which causes
jaundice, diarrhea, and flu-like illness that can be severe. For
full protection, you need two doses of the vaccine given at least
6 months apart.
For
more information about hepatitis A vaccine, who should
get the vaccine, and who should not be vaccinated, see the Hepatitis
A Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) or Hepatitis
A VIS for screen-reader devices . You
can also visit the CDC-NCID
Viral Hepatitis web site for more information about hepatitis
A virus and areas with high rates of hepatitis A virus infection.
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Hepatitis
B vaccine |
- If
you are 11 to 18 years old, you need hepatitis B vaccine unless
you have already been vaccinated. Usually you need three shots
to complete the series; check with your doctor or healthcare professional
for details.
- You
need hepatitis B vaccine if, through your work, you are at risk
of exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids.
- You
need hepatitis B vaccine if you are exposed to the hepatitis B
virus because of a medical condition, your country of origin,
or lifestyle factors. See
more information about conditions that make you high-risk for
hepatitis B in the Hepatitis
B Vaccine Information Statement
(VIS)
- The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for any adult who wants to be protected against hepatitis B virus infection.
- This
vaccine protects against hepatitis B virus infection, which can
cause liver disease and liver cancer.
For
more information about hepatitis B vaccine, who should
get the vaccine, and who should not be vaccinated, see the Hepatitis
B Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) or Hepatitis
B VIS for screen-reader devices . You can also visit the CDC-NCID
Viral Hepatitis web site for more information about hepatitis
B virus infection.
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Hib
(Haemophilus Influenzae type B) vaccine |
Most
adolescents and adults do not need Hib vaccine, but you may need
Hib vaccine if you have any of these medical conditions:
- sickle
cell anemia
- leukemia
- HIV/AIDS
- removed
or dysfunctional spleen
- bone
marrow transplant
- cancer
treatment with drugs
Hib
vaccine may not be recommended for you if you
- have
experienced a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Hib
vaccine
-
are moderately or severely sick when the vaccination is scheduled
For
more information about Hib vaccine, who should get the
vaccine, and who should not be vaccinated, see the Hib
Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) or the Hib
VIS for screen reader devices .
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Human
Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine |
Human
papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common, sexually transmitted virus
that includes many different viral types, some of which can cause
infections that lead to cervical cancer. Other types are a major
cause of genital warts. The vaccine is licensed for females 9-26
years of age. It is recommended to give the shot before the start
of sexual activity, but women who are sexually active should still
be vaccinated. The vaccine is given as 3 injections over a 6 month
period. The vaccine will not provide protection against all types
of HPV viruses that cause cervical cancer, therefore, patients should
be counseled to continue routine screening for cervical cancer.
- Routine
vaccination is recommended for adolescents 11-12 years of age.
- HPV
vaccine is also recommended for females 13-26 years of age who
previously have not received the vaccine.
- Vaccination
can be given as early as age 9 at the discretion of the doctor.
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Meningococcal
vaccine |
Meningococcal
vaccine protects against bacterial meningitis (infection of the
brain and spinal cord coverings) and blood disease. Meningococcal
vaccine is recommended for the following:
- Those
with a missing or non-functional spleen. You need meningococcal
vaccine if your spleen has been removed or doesn�t function. One
dose of meningococcal vaccine is usually recommended, although
an additional dose may be needed if you continue to be at high
risk. Check with your doctor or healthcare professional.
- Children
11-12 years of age.
- Teens
entering high school (~ 15 years old).
- College
freshman. If you are a college freshman AND live in a
dormitory, you should receive this vaccine.
- International
travelers. If you travel to or live in countries where
meningitis is widespread, you should receive this vaccine. See
Meningococcal
Disease for more information.
- Laboratory
workers or microbiologists. If you work in a research,
clinical, or industrial laboratory and are routinely exposed to
meningococcal bacteria, you should receive this vaccine.
- Those
with terminal complement component deficiency, an immune system
disorder. Talk with your doctor or healthcare professional
to find out about your need for meningococcal vaccine. The vaccine
is given for certain diseases of the immune system.
For
more information
about meningococcal vaccine, who should get the vaccine, and who
should not get the vaccine, see the Meningococcal
Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) or the Meningococcal
VIS for screen-reader devices.
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MMR
(measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine |
You
need MMR vaccine if you were born in 1957 or later and you have
never had measles, mumps, or rubella (German measles) or if you
have never received a dose of MMR vaccine.
MMR
is recommended for
- Anyone
11 to 18 years old.
- Students
in college or a post-high school educational institution.
- Healthcare
workers born in 1957 or later. Proof
of immunity (i.e., documentation of vaccination, history of disease,
laboratory evidence of immunity, or laboratory confirmation of
disease) is desirable for healthcare workers born before
1957. To provide protection against mumps, healthcare
workers born before 1957 should consider receiving 1 dose of MMR
in non-outbreak settings and 2 doses during a mumps outbreak.
- Women
of childbearing age who are not pregnant. This includes women
of childbearing age born before 1957, unless they have proof of
immunity to or vaccination against rubella. Immunity to rubella
is especially important for women who plan to become pregnant
because the rubella virus, which causes German measles, can cause
birth defects.
You
should not receive the vaccine if you
- have
had a severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin,
or a previous dose of MMR vaccine
Talk
with your doctor or healthcare professional about the need for the
vaccine if you
- have
HIV/AIDS or any disease affecting the immune system
- are
being treated with drugs that affect the immune system
- have
cancer or are receiving cancer treatment with drugs or x-rays
- have
a blood disorder or have recently received any blood products
For
more information about MMR vaccine, who should get the
vaccine, and who should not get the vaccine, see
the MMR Vaccine Information
Statement (VIS) or MMR
VIS for screen reader devices)
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Pneumonia
(pneumococcal) vaccine (PPV) |
Pneumococcal
vaccine protects against infections of the lungs, the blood, and
the brain, any of which can be serious or even life-threatening.
You
may need pneumococcal vaccine if you
- Reside
in a nursing home and have not been previously vaccinated with
pneumococcal vaccine.
- Are
2 years old or older and have long-term health conditions other
than asthma. These conditions include heart, lung, liver, kidney,
or sickle cell disease, diabetes, alcoholism, leaks of cerebrospinal
fluid, cancer, HIV/AIDS, a weaken immune system, or a removed
or damaged spleen.
For
more information about the vaccine and who should get the
vaccine, see the Pneumococcal
Vaccine Information Statement Pneumococcal
VIS for screen-reader devices .
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Tetanus
(lockjaw) and diphtheria vaccine (Td vaccine) |
Td
vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), a disease that causes
severe muscle spasms and can kill, and diphtheria, a severe infection
of the nose, throat, or airway, involving the mucus membrane in
those parts of the body and causing formation of a thick, painful
membrane that can block the airways.
- You
need an initial series of 3 shots to be fully vaccinated with
Td vaccine.
- After
the initial series of 3 shots, a booster dose of Td is recommended
every 10 years to help prevent tetanus and diphtheria infections.
- A
one-time booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
vaccine is generally recommended to replace a single dose of tetanus
and diphtheria (Td) vaccine for booster immunization against tetanus,
diphtheria, and pertussis. Later booster doses should be given
using Td.
For
more information about tetanus and diphtheria vaccine,
see the Tetanus and Diphtheria
(Td) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) or
Td VIS for screen-reader devices .
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Tetanus,
Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine |
Tdap
vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), a disease that causes
severe muscle spasms and can kill; diphtheria, a severe infection
of the nose, throat, or airway, involving the mucus membrane and
causing formation of a thick, painful membrane that can block the
airways; and pertussis (whooping cough) which causes coughing spells
that can make it hard to eat, drink, or breathe and can lead to
pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death, especially in infants.
- A
one-time booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
vaccine is generally recommended to replace a single dose of tetanus
and diphtheria (Td) vaccine for booster immunization against tetanus,
diphtheria, and pertussis. Later booster doses should be given
using Td.
- A
dose of Tdap is recommended for adolescents who received DTaP
or DTP as children but have not received a dose of Td. The preferred
age is 11-12.
- Adolescents
who have already received a booster dose of Td are encouraged
to get a dose of Tdap as well, for protection against pertussis.
Waiting
at least 5 years between Td and Tdap is encouraged, but not required.
- Adolescents
who did not get all their scheduled doses of DTaP or DTP as children
should complete the series using a combination of Td and Tdap.
- Adults,
19-64 years of age, who received their last dose of Td 10 or more
years ago should receive a single dose of Tdap to replace a single
dose of Td for booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria,
and pertussis.
Tdap for adults may be given at an interval as short as 2 years
since the last Td dose if protection against pertussis is needed.
-
Pregnant women who have not received Tdap should be vaccinated
with Tdap after delivery if it has been 2 or more years since
the last Td. A shorter interval may be used if protection against
pertussis is needed.
-
Tdap
may be substituted for tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine during
pregnancy if protection against pertussis is needed.
- Close
contacts of infants less than 12 months of age and healthcare
workers having direct patient contact should receive a one time
Tdap booster which may be given at an interval as short as 2 years
since their last dose of Td.
For
more information about tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
vaccine, see the Tetanus,
Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine Information Statement
or Tdap VIS for screen-reader
devices.
Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine |
Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. The rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. Its main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe. For about 1 person in 5 with shingles, severe pain can continue even after the rash clears up.
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus can stay in the body for many years in an inactive state. It can reappear later in life and cause a case of shingles. Shingles is seen more frequently in people who are older or who have weakened immune systems.
- A single dose of Zoster vaccine is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older, including those who have already had shingles.
- In clinical trials, the vaccine prevented shingles in about half of those 60 and older and reduced the pain associated with shingles.
- Those who should not receive this vaccine include:
- Individuals with a weaken immune system caused by:
- HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system.
- Treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids.
- Cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy.
- A history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
- Someone with active, untreated tuberculosis.
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This
page last modified on February 28, 2007 |
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