U.S. Public Health Service recommendations clearly identify people who are at risk for these diseases and who should be immunized to prevent these diseases and their complications. Consult your healthcare provider or local health department regarding your own immunization status and recommendations for immunizations. Some of these illnesses, once contracted, do not have a cure, and all may cause tremendous health problems or even death. Vaccines are some of the safest medicines available, are very effective, and can relieve suffering costs related to these preventable diseases for us all.
All adults require tetanus and diphtheria immunizations.
Adults born after 1956 need to be immunized against measles, mumps and rubella. All adults aged 65 or older, as well as persons aged 2-64 years who have diabetes or chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disorders need protection against pneumococcal disease, and should consult their healthcare providers regarding their need for this shot. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for adults in certain high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers and persons with multiple sex partners. Hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for all adolescents who may not have not received it during infancy or childhood. Many adults, including teachers of young children and day care workers, residents and staff in institutional settings, military personnel, nonpregnant women of childbearing age, international travelers, healthcare workers and family members of immunocompromised persons, who have not had chickenpox and have not been immunized previously against chickenpox should receive varicella vaccine.