Immunizations (cont.)
In this Article
- What is the vaccination schedule for adolescents?
- What is the vaccination schedule for adults?
- What is the Td/Tdap vaccine, and who should receive it?
- What is the HPV vaccine,
and who should get it?
- What is the meningococcal vaccine, and who should receive
it?
- What is the MMR vaccine, and who should receive it?
- What is the varicella vaccine,
and who should receive it?
- What is the pneumococcal vaccine, and who should receive
it?
- What is the influenza vaccine, and who should receive it?
- What is the hepatitis A
vaccine, and who should receive it?
- What is the hepatitis B vaccine, and who should
receive it?
- What is the polio vaccine, and who should receive it?
- What is the zoster vaccine, and who should receive it?
- What is the typhoid vaccine, and who should
receive it?
- What is the yellow fever vaccine, and who should receive it?
- What is
the rabies vaccine and who should receive it?
- What is the Japanese encephalitis vaccine,
and who should receive it?
- Where can I find additional information on immunizations?
- Immunizations Index
What is
the pneumococcal vaccine, and who should receive it?
Streptococcus pneumoniae (also
called pneumococcus) is a bacterium that can cause severe illness, including
meningitis and pneumonia. The vaccine is routinely given to children; however,
it is only given to adolescents and adults who are at higher risk. Elderly
adults are one group that is considered at higher risk, and it is recommended
that all adults receive one dose of the vaccine after 65 years of age. For
specific guidance and a list of higher risk groups, please refer to Table 4 for
adolescents or Tables 5A-5D for adults.
What is the influenza vaccine, and who
should receive it?
Influenza (flu) is an acute viral illness that can kill even
healthy people. Unfortunately, the influenza virus changes a little each year,
and scientists have to make educated guesses about which forms of the virus will
be infecting people and circulating each year. Based on the best available evidence, they create
a vaccine each year containing three of the likely influenza virus types.
There are
two types of vaccine: a live attenuated vaccine (nasal spray) and an inactivated
vaccine (shot). You cannot get the flu from getting the flu shot because it has
inactivated virus (killed virus with heat or chemicals). The immunity from the
vaccines is limited, and vaccinations must be repeated yearly. In August 2008,
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices changed the recommendation on
adolescents. It is now recommended that all people between 6 months and 18 years
of age
receive an annual vaccination. Although the CDC encourages that any adult who wants to decrease the chance of getting the flu
get the influenza vaccine, certain high-risk
groups are recommended to always get the annual flu vaccine (Table 5C). Adults
over 50 years of age are considered to be at high risk and should receive the yearly
influenza vaccination. For specific guidance and a list of higher-risk groups,
please refer to Table 4 for adolescents or Tables 5A-5D for adults.
Next: What is the hepatitis A
vaccine, and who should receive it? »
- Gardasil (HPV Vaccine) - Gardasil HPV vaccine (recombinant human papillomavirus quadrivalent vaccine) drug class, prescription, injection, preparation, storage, dosage, drug interaction, pregnancy and nursing, and side effects information.
- Flu Vaccine - Get the facts about influenza vaccine (flu shot) ingredients, side effects and vaccination effectiveness. Learn who should (children, pregnant women, elderly) and shouldn't get a flu shot.
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