Thursday, July 24, 2008
The RD Guide to Adult VaccinesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend these ten vaccines for adults. Some we should all get; others are for people with certain conditions or risk factors. Ask your doctor for more information
Hepatitis A
Those who share needles, travel to certain countries, or have chronic liver disease.
2 doses over 12 to 18 months
Hepatitis B
HIV patients; health care providers; those who travel to certain countries or have multiple sex partners, chronic liver disease, failing kidneys, or renal disease.
3 doses over 6 months
HPV
Girls and women who haven't been infected.
3 doses over 6 months
Influenza
Everyone, especially those ages 50 and up and those with weakened immune systems.
Yearly
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
Those under 50 (except pregnant women); some HIV patients; people with diabetes, failing kidneys, or chronic lung, heart, or liver disease; those who've had their spleen removed or work in a health care facility.
1 or 2 doses, as needed
Meningococcal (meningitis)
Those who live in a college dorm, travel to certain countries, or have had their spleen removed.
1 or more doses, as needed
Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
Those 65 and older and people with diabetes or chronic heart, liver, or lung disease (but not asthma).
Once; twice if you have certain risk factors
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough)
Everyone needs protection from tetanus and diphtheria; 19- to 64-year-olds also need the pertussis vaccine.
2 doses over 4 to 8 weeks
Varicella (chicken pox)
Anyone who has never had the illness or never been vaccinated (but not pregnant women).
Zoster (shingles)
People ages 60 and up.
Once
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