Vaccinations? Immunizations? What do I need?
Is it a Vaccination or Immunization?
The two terms are interchangeable.
We vaccinate to help protect people from infectious diseases. The vaccine is the actual prepared injection, sometimes an oral or one sprayed into the nose.
Immunization is the process whereby you are vaccinated to stimulate the body’s immune response against a disease.
According to the World Health Organization, vaccines are available to help prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases and 3.5-5 million deaths each year.
During your health care visits to your PCP (Primary Care Provider), discuss what vaccines are appropriate.
There are additional recommendations your healthcare provider will make regarding your age, medical conditions, and other special conditions that may put you at risk.
In the following sections, we will identify the vaccines appropriate for each age group and touch upon the unique conditions that may require additional vaccines.
All adults need to be sure they are up to date on COVID-19, Flu (influenza), and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) or Td (tetanus, diphtheria).
Schedules can be found on the CDC website.
Adult Additional Vaccines Age 19-26 years
Chickenpox (Varicella)
One-time series of 2 doses and are 90% effective in preventing chickenpox.
You may need to be immunized if you were born in the US in 1980 or later.
Hepatitis B
2-dose or 3-dose series, depending on the manufacturer.
It is a vaccine recommended for all age groups and those with risk factors for Hepatitis B infections. Such risk factors include healthcare workers, adults with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, liver disease, HIV, or at risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Hepatitis A
2-dose or 3-dose series, depending on the manufacturer.
It is a vaccine recommended for people at risk for developing Hepatitis A infections.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Three doses are recommended for people who have not gotten their first dose before age 15.
The vaccine is not recommended for adults older than 26 because most people in this age range have already been exposed to HPV. This vaccine can potentially prevent more than 90% of HPV-attributable cancers.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
If you are a college student or health care worker, you can check lab tests showing whether you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella.
You will need two doses or a booster, depending on immunity.
MenB (Meningococcal Disease)
Teens and young adults at risk for meningococcal disease who have not been previously immunized will need to be vaccinated. The number of doses depends on the manufacturer.
Adult Additional Vaccines Age 27-49 years
Hepatitis B
2-dose or 3-dose series, depending on the manufacturer.
It is a vaccine recommended for all age groups and those with risk factors for Hepatitis B infections. Such risk factors include healthcare workers, adults with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, liver disease, HIV, or at risk of sexually transmitted infections.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
If you were born in 1957 without an MMR vaccine, you will need two doses or a booster, depending on immunity.
Adult Additional vaccines 50 years and Older
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Two dose series 2-6 months apart, even if you have had shingles, the previous vaccine, Zostavax, or varicella vaccine.
The vaccine is 90% effective in preventing an outbreak of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia.
Pneumococcal -(Pneumonia)
There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines now available. PCV13, PCV 15, and PCV20 are the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. PPSV23 is the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
For adults who are 50 years and older and have never received a pneumococcal vaccination, the CDC recommends PCV15 or PCV20. If you get PVV15, you will follow with a dose of PPSV23 one year later.