Shots For Safety

There are many shots, or vaccinations, 

that may keep you from getting sick. 

Some of these shots may also 

protect you from getting 

a serious form of an 

illness. Here is a list of 

shots that may keep 

you healthy. Talk 

to your doctor about 

which ones you need. 

Flu

Flu is the short name for influenza. 

It can cause fever, chills, sore throat, 

and stuffy nose, as well as headache 

and muscle aches. It’s easy to pass from 

person to person. Flu is very serious 

when it gets in your lungs. That’s why 

it’s important for everyone 6 months 

and older to get the flu shot each year.

You need a flu shot every year for 

two reasons. First, flu viruses change. 
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Each year’s virus may be just a little 

different. If the virus changes, the 

vaccine used in the flu shot is changed. 

Second, the protection you get from a 

flu shot lessens with time, especially in 

older people. 

It takes a while for the flu shot to 

start protecting you, so you should get 

your flu shot between September and 

November. Then you will be protected 

when the winter flu season starts.

Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease is a serious 

infection that is spread from person 

to person by droplets in the air. It can 

cause pneumonia in your lungs, or 

it can affect other parts of the body. 

People 65 and older should get a pneumococcal shot. It’s safe and can be given 

at the same time as the flu shot. Most 

people only need the shot once. But, 

if you were younger than 65 when you 

had the shot, you may need a second 

shot to stay protected. 

Remember....

Some illnesses or treatments can weaken 

your immune system. It’s important to 

talk to a doctor who knows your health 

history before taking any vaccine.
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Tetanus And Diphtheria

Getting a shot is the best way to keep 

from getting tetanus and diphtheria. 

Tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw) is 

caused by bacteria found in soil, dust, 

and manure. It enters the body through 

cuts in the skin. 

Diphtheria is also caused by bacteria. 

It can affect the tonsils, throat, nose, or 

skin. It can spread from person to person. 

Diphtheria is a very serious illness.

Most people get their first shots for

tetanus and diphtheria as children. For

adults, a booster shot keeps you protected; 

it’s important to get it every 10 years. Ask 

your doctor if you need a booster shot.

Shingles

If you had chickenpox when you 

were young, the virus is still in your 

body. When you are older, the virus 

may become active again, and you can 

develop shingles. Shingles causes a rash 

of blisters on the body or face. It can be 

a very painful disease. Even when the 

rash disappears, the pain can stay. Now 

there is a shot for people 50 or older 

that may prevent shingles. Ask your 

doctor if you should get the shingles 

vaccine. 
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Measles, Mumps, And Rubella

The vaccine given to children to 

prevent measles, mumps, and rubella 

has made these diseases rare. Measles, 

mumps, and rubella are often more 

serious in adults than in children. If you 

don’t know if you’ve had the diseases or 

the shot, you can still get the vaccine.

Side Effects Of Shots

Common side effects for all of these 

shots are mild and include pain, swelling, 

or redness on the arm where the shot 

was given. It’s a good idea to keep your 

own shot record listing the types and 

dates of your shots, as well as any side 

effects or problems.

Travel

Check with your doctor or local health 

department about the shots that you need

if you’re going to travel to other countries. 

Sometimes a series of shots is needed. It’s

best to get them early, at least 2 weeks 

before your travel. For more information, 

visit the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel, or 

call the information line for international 

travelers at 1-800-232-4636. 
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Keep Up-To-Date

Most of the illnesses listed in this 

fact sheet are hard on adults. Take the 

time to protect yourself by keeping your 

vaccinations up-to-date. 

For More Information

Here are some helpful resources:

American Lung Association

1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 

Suite 800

Washington, DC 20004

1-800-586-4872 (toll-free)

www.lungusa.org

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention

1600 Clifton Road

Atlanta, GA 30333

1-800-232-4636 (toll-free)

1-888-232-6438 (TTY/toll-free) 

www.cdc.gov

www.flu.gov

National Institute of Allergy and 

Infectious Diseases

6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612

Bethesda, MD 20892-6612

1-866-284-4107 (toll-free) 

1-800-877-8339 (TTY/toll-free) 

www.niaid.nih.gov
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For more information on health and 

aging, including free brochures about 

shingles and flu, contact: 

National Institute on Aging 

Information Center

P.O. Box 8057

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057

1-800-222-2225 (toll-free) 

1-800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free) 

www.nia.nih.gov

www.nia.nih.gov/espanol

To sign up for regular email alerts 

about new publications and other 

information from the NIA, go to 

www.nia.nih.gov/health. 

Visit www.nihseniorhealth.gov, a seniorfriendly website from the National 

Institute on Aging and the National 

Library of Medicine. This website has 

health and wellness information for 

older adults. Special features make it 

simple to use. For example, you can click 

on a button to make the type larger.

National Institute on Aging

National Institutes of Health

NIH...Turning Discovery into Health 

U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services

October 2007 | Updated December 2011