Vaccine Guide: What You Need to Know Regular vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your family. Learn which shots to get and when to stay safe from infections, like shingles, hepatitis and tetanus.

Stay healthy, stay protected

Taking care of your health means staying up to date with your vaccines. Regular vaccinations aren't just for kids. Adults need vaccines for a number of painful and potentially life-threatening disease, including:

  • Flu
  • Shingles
  • Pneumococcal disease
  • Hepatitis
  • Tetanus
  • Human papilloma virus (HPV)

Schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor to ask about receiving a vaccine

Learn more about the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine

 

Shingles

Shingles is a painful rash that typically develops on the face or torso. It is known for blisters that can cause long-term pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox (varicella zoster virus). After recovering from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the body and can reactivate and cause shingles years later. The risk increases as we age.

What to know about the vaccine

  • The shingles vaccine reduces your risk of getting shingles and PHN by more than 90 percent.
  • Adults age 50 or older should get two doses, about two to six months apart.
  • Go when you’re feeling well — not when you have a fever of 101.3°F or higher.
  • Any side effects, when they occur, are mild and usually go away after two or three days. You might experience a sore arm or muscle pain, fatigue, a headache, shivering or fever, stomach pain or nausea.

 

Pneumococcal disease

Pneumococcal disease is a type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Cases can range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections.

People spread the bacteria through mucus and saliva. Although children and young adults also get this type of disease, older adults are at a greater risk of serious illness and death from it.

What to know about the vaccine

  • Children younger than two and adults 65 or older should get vaccinated, as well as adults ages 19 to 64 who smoke.
  • There are two different kinds of vaccine: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23).
  • Most adults age 65 or older should get the PPSV23, which requires a single shot.
  • Any side effects are typically mild and temporary. With both types of vaccine, you might experience reactions at the injection site, fever, chills, headache, fatigue or loss of appetite.

Learn more about childhood immunizations

 

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a liver infection caused by viruses. In the U.S., hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are the most common types causing this type of liver inflammation.

People contract these viruses from others — usually through sex, needle sharing or eating contaminated food. In addition to contracting hepatitis from another person, you can get this type of infection from toxins, alcohol, medications and certain medical conditions.

Hepatitis symptoms can include:

  • Yellow skin or eyes
  • Stomach issues
  • Fever
  • Dark urine
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain

These infections are usually mild but can become chronic and even life-threatening.

What to know about the vaccine

  • Anyone over the age of one should get a vaccine, for long-term protection.
  • There are vaccines for hepatitis A and B, but not C.
  • People age 18 or older can get a combination vaccine that protects against hepatitis A and B. These three shots are given over a period of six months.
  • Side effects tend to be nonexistent or mild. The most common is soreness at the injection site.

 

Tetanus

Tetanus is an infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. We get tetnaus when spores enter our body through breaks in our skin.

What to know about the vaccine

Four types of vaccine protect against tetanus plus other diseases:

  • DTaP protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). It's given to children at two months, four months, six months, 15 through 18 months and four through six years.
  • DT protects against diphtheria and tetanus. It is not given as frequently.
  • Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis and is given to 11- to 12-year-olds. Adults can get this vaccine every 10 years.
  • Td protects against tetanus and diphtheria. Adults are given this or the Tdap every 10 years.

Side effects of these vaccines tend to be mild and can include pain or swelling at the injection site, fever, headache and fatigue.

 

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is the most common type of sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. This very common virus, spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex, can lead to cancer.

Each year, about 14 million people become infected. And each year, nearly 35,000 people in the U.S. are affected by a cancer caused by HPV.

What to know about the vaccine

  • The HPV vaccine prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing infections.
  • The CDC recommends that children 11 to 12 get vaccinated (though they can start at age 9).
  • The vaccine can be given into young adulthood, but is not recommended for those over 26, mainly since most adults have already been exposed to HPV.
  • The vaccine consists of two or three doses, with the second dose given six to 12 months after the first dose.
  • Vaccine side effects, if any, are mild. Expect pain, redness or swelling at the injection site and, possibly, a temperature of 100°F, nausea and dizziness.