Getting Your Shots as an Adult: Brief Version

What shots do adults need?

You need shots to protect you from tetanus. You may need other shots as well.

It is important to keep up to date with your shots. That way you can stay as healthy as possible. It helps reduce your risk of serious health problems.

When should you get your shots?

Here's what you should do:

Tetanus. Get the 3-shot series if you didn't get the shots when you were a child.

• Start with the first shot now.
• Have the second shot 4 to 8 weeks later.
• Get the third shot 6 to 12 months after that.
• Get a booster shot every 10 years.
• Get a booster shot if you get a puncture wound or bite more than 5 years after your last shot.

Influenza (flu). Get the flu shot if you are 50 or older. You may need a flu shot if you are younger than 50 and have diabetes, a lung disease (like asthma), or heart disease.

• Get a flu shot every year in October.
• If you think you are allergic to eggs, talk to your health care provider about whether you should have the shot.

Pneumococcal pneumonia. Get this shot if you:

• Are 65 or older.
• Have diabetes.
• Have heart, kidney, or lung problems.
• No longer have a spleen.
• Are going to have chemotherapy.
• Are HIV positive.
• Have had an organ transplant.
• Have sickle cell disease.
• Have a condition or are taking medicines that keep your immune system from working well.

What about other shots?

You may want to think about getting shots for:

Hepatitis B. Ask your health care provider if this would be a good idea for you. If your provider thinks you should have the shot:

• Get a second shot 1 month after the first shot.
• Get a third shot 6 months after the second shot.

Chickenpox: If you have not had chickenpox, ask your health care provider about this shot.

Shots for travel. You may need shots for other diseases if you travel to other countries.

• Ask your health care provider or public health department.

Where can you get the shots?

You can get your shots at:

• Your health care provider's office.
• A clinic.
• Your local health department.

If you'd like to find out more about it:

You can call your local health department.

Or you can write or call:

National Coalition for Adult Immunization
Phone: (301) 656-0003
Web site: http://www.nfid.org/ncai.