Each year in August, the CDC hosts National Immunization Awareness Month. This provides an opportunity to highlight the value of immunization across the lifespan. And adults need vaccines too, they are not just for kids!
All adults should get:
- Influenza (flu) vaccine: Each year to protect against the seasonal flu.
- Td or Tdap: Every adult should get the Tdap vaccine once if they did not
receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough),
and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years. In
addition, women are also recommended to get the Tdap vaccine each
time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks. - The need for other adult vaccines – such as shingles, pneumococcal, hepatitis,
HPV – depends on one’s age, occupation, travel, health status, and other risk
factors. - Talk to your Doctor TODAY about the need for vaccination.