This includes those with chronic heart and respiratory conditions, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, anemia, or conditions that alter immunity. Flu vaccine is also advised for those over 65, and for healthy younger adults who work in close contact with persons at high risk. Individuals sensitive to eggs should not get influenza vaccine. Pneumococcal Infections . Patients with certain chronic conditions are at risk of developing pneumococcal infections, principally pneumonia.
Immunization consists of a single dose of vaccine.
Booster doses should not be given, nor should the vaccine be given during pregnancy. For that reason, women of childbearing age who have never been vaccinated against rubella and who are antibody-negative by testing should receive a single dose of vaccine. Pregnancy must be avoided for 3 months following injection, and a pregnant woman should never take the vaccine. Hepatitis B. Health-care workers, physicians, dentists, and others who come in contact with contaminated needles are at risk of getting hepatitis B, a viral infection that affects the liver. Others at risk are users of illegal drugs, sexually active male homosexuals, and people with hemophilia who get frequent blood transfusions.