Getting Your Shots as an Adult: Brief Version

What shots do adults need?

Older adults need shots to protect them from:

• Influenza (flu).
• Pneumococcal disease (pneumococcal pneumonia).
• Tetanus and diphtheria.

It is important to keep up to date with your shots. That way you can stay as healthy as possible and reduce your risk of serious problems.

Flu is an infection that causes these symptoms:

• Fever.
• Headaches.
• Body aches and pains.
• Sore throat and cough.

It is very easy to get the flu and pass it to someone else. The flu can turn into pneumonia. Every year, many older adults die this way.

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria. It can get into the:

• Lungs and cause pneumonia.
• Blood and cause a serious infection.
• Covering of the brain and cause meningitis.

Tetanus happens when bacteria get into your body through a break in the skin.

Diphtheria, also caused by a bacteria, can cause serious problems when the bacteria release a poison into the bloodstream.

When should you get your shots?

Here's what you should do:

Influenza (flu). You should get the flu shot.

• Get a flu shot every year in October or November.
• If you think you are allergic to eggs, talk to your health care provider before having this shot.

Pneumococcal pneumonia. Get this shot if you:

• Are age 65 or older.
• Have heart, kidney, or lung problems.
• No longer have a spleen.
• Have diabetes.

Tetanus/Diphtheria. Get the three-shot series if you didn't get them when you were a child.

• Start with the first shot now.
• The second shot 4 to 8 weeks later.
• Get the third shot 6 to 12 months after that.
• Get a booster every 10 years or if you get a puncture wound or bite.

What about other shots?

You may want to think about getting shots for:

Hepatitis B. Ask your health care provider if he or she thinks this would be a good idea for you.

• Get the first shot if your health care provider says you should.
• Get the second shot 1 month later.
• Get the third shot 6 months after that.

Shots for travel. You may have to get shots for typhoid, hepatitis A, and other diseases if you travel to certain other countries.

• Ask your health care provider or public health department.

Where can you get the shots you need?

You can get your shots at:

• Your health care provider's office.
• A clinic.
• Your local health department.

If you'd like to find out more about it:

You can call your local health department.

Or you can write or call:

National Coalition for Adult Immunization
4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 750
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-656-0003