AgePage

National Institute on Aging

 

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 the 

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 so important to get a flu shot. 

The virus that causes flu changes 

from year to year. This means you need 

to get the flu shot every year. It takes a 

while for the medicine in the flu shot 

to start protecting you, so you should 

get your flu shot between October 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 problems with your lungs, or it 

can spread to 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 a single 

shot. 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.

Tetanus and Diphtheria

Getting a shot is the best way to keep 

from getting tetanus and diphtheria. 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

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 the 

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 so important to get a flu shot. 

The virus that causes flu changes 

from year to year. This means you need 

to get the flu shot every year. It takes a 

while for the medicine in the flu shot 
  

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

The vaccine given to children to 

prevent measles, mumps, and rubella 

(MMR) 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 shots, you can 

still get the shot.

Side Effects of Shots

Common side effects for 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 information about 

shots you may need, visit the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention 

website at www.cdc.gov/travel or call the 

information line for international 

travelers at 877-394-8747. 

Keep Up-to-date

Most of the illnesses listed in this fact 

sheet are much harder on adults than 

on children. Take the time to protect 

yourself by keeping your vaccinations 

up-to-date. 

For More Information

Here are some Federal and nonFederal resources:

American Lung Association

800-586-4872 (toll-free)

www.lungusa.org 

Centers for Disease Control Info 

800-232-4636 (toll-free)

www.cdc.gov 

National Institute of Allergy and 

Infectious Diseases

866-284-4107 (toll-free)

800-877-8339 (toll-free/TDD)

www.niaid.nih.gov
 

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

The vaccine given to children to 

prevent measles, mumps, and rubella 

(MMR) 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 shots, you can 

still get the shot.

Side Effects of Shots

Common side effects for 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 information about