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National Institute on Aging

AgePage

Shots for Safety

As you get older, your doctor may 

recommend vaccinations—shots—to help 

prevent certain illnesses and to keep 

you healthy.

Talk with your doctor about which of 

the following shots you need. And, make 

sure to protect yourself by keeping your 

vaccinations up to date.

Flu

Flu—short for influenza—is a virus that 

can cause fever, chills, sore throat, stuffy 

nose, headache, and muscle aches. Flu is 

very serious when it gets in your lungs.

The flu is easy to pass from person 

to person. The virus also changes over 

time, which means you can get it over 

and over again. That’s why most people 

(age 6 months and older) should get the 

flu shot each year.

Get your shot between September and 

November. Then, you may be protected 

when the winter flu season starts.

Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease is a serious 

infection that spreads from person to 

person by air. It often causes pneumonia 

in the lungs, and it can affect other parts 

of the body.

Most people age 65 and older should 

get a pneumococcal shot to help prevent 

getting the disease. It’s generally safe 

and can be given at the same time as 

the flu shot. Usually, people only need 

the shot once. But, if you were younger 

than age 65 when you had the shot, you 

may need a second one to stay protected.

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 is a serious illness that can affect the 

tonsils, throat, nose, or skin. It can spread 

from person to person.

Both tetanus and diphtheria can lead 

to death.

Getting a shot is the best way to keep 

from getting tetanus and diphtheria. Most 

people get their first shots as children. For 

adults, a booster shot every 10 years will 

keep you protected. Ask your doctor if 

and when you need a booster shot.
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Shingles

Shingles is caused by the same virus 

as chickenpox. If you had chickenpox, 

the virus is still in your body. It could 

become active again and cause shingles.

Shingles affects the nerves. Common 

symptoms include burning, shooting 

pain, tingling, and/or itching, as well 

as a rash and fluid-filled blisters. Even 

when the rash disappears, the pain can 

stay.

The shingles vaccine is a safe and 

easy shot that may keep you from getting 

the disease. Most people age 60 and older 

should get vaccinated, even if you already 

had shingles or don’t remember having 

chickenpox. Protection from the shingles 

vaccine lasts at least 5 years. 

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

Measles, mumps, and rubella 

are viruses that cause several flu-like 

symptoms, but may lead to much more 

serious, long-term health problems, 

especially in adults.

The vaccine given to children to 

prevent measles, mumps, and rubella 

has made these diseases rare. 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 these 

shots are mild and include pain, swelling, 

or redness where the shot was given.

Before getting any vaccine, make sure 

it’s safe for you. Talk with your doctor 

about your health history, including 

past illnesses and treatments, as well as 

any allergies.

It’s a good idea to keep your own 

shot record, listing the types and dates 

of your shots, along with any side 

effects or problems.

Shots for Travel

Check with your doctor or local 

health department about shots you will 

need if traveling to other countries. 

Sometimes, a series of shots is needed. 

It’s best to get them at least 2 weeks 

before you travel. For more information, 

visit the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention website, www.cdc.gov, or call 

the information line for international 

travelers at 1-800-232-4636.
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For More Information about 

Shots and Vaccines

American Lung Association

1-800-548-8252 (toll-free)

info@lung.org (email)

www.lung.org

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention

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

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

cdcinfo@cdc.gov (email)

www.cdc.gov

www.flu.gov

National Heart, Lung, and Blood 

Institute

1-301-592-8573

nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov (email)

www.nhlbi.nih.gov

National Institute of Allergy and 

Infectious Diseases

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

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

ocpostoffice@niaid.nih.gov (email)

www.niaid.nih.gov

National Institute of Neurological 

Disorders and Stroke

1-800-352-9424 (toll-free)

braininfo@ninds.nih.gov (email)

www.ninds.nih.gov

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)

niaic@nia.nih.gov (email)

www.nia.nih.gov

Visit www.nia.nih.gov/health to find more 

health and aging information from 

NIA and subscribe to email alerts. Visit 

https://order.nia.nih.gov to order free 

print publications.

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health®

April 2016