Children's Vaccines Health Center

continued...

For more information about the flu, see the topics Influenza (Seasonal Flu) and H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu). For the most current CDC guidelines about the flu, go to www.cdc.gov/flu.

For help deciding if the flu shot is right for you, see:

Flu Vaccines: Should I Get a Flu Vaccine?

Myths About the Flu Vaccine.

Hepatitis A (Hep A) (What is a PDF document?)

This shot protects against hepatitis A.

Who should get it?

• Anyone who will be in close contact with an adopted child from a country that has high rates of hepatitis A needs two doses. This includes household contacts and babysitters. This recommendation only applies for the first 60 days the child is in the United States.⁶
• Adults who will be traveling to certain foreign countries, such as those in Central or South America, need two doses given at least 6 months apart.
• Adults who have certain risk factors, such as long-term (chronic) liver disease, also need two doses.

Hepatitis B (Hep B) (What is a PDF document?)

This shot protects against hepatitis B. Three doses are needed over at least 4 months.

Who should get it?

• Adults who have not received the vaccine series for hepatitis B need this shot when occupation, travel, health condition, or lifestyle increases their risk of exposure.

A hepatitis combination vaccine (Twinrix) is recommended for those who are at risk for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. This vaccine is approved in the United States only for those 18 years of age or older.

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (What is a PDF document?)

This shot protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Who should get it?

• Adults born during or after 1957 may need one or two doses if they do not have evidence of immunity.

Women should avoid becoming pregnant for 28 days after getting the MMR shot. Women who are known or suspected to be pregnant and people who have impaired immune systems should not get this shot.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV, or Pneumovax 23) (What is a PDF document?)

This shot does not necessarily reduce your risk of getting pneumonia, but it can prevent some of the serious complications of pneumonia, such as infection in the bloodstream (bacteremia) or throughout the body (septicemia).

Who should get it?

• All people 65 years of age or older need this shot.
• People ages 2 years to 64 years who have a chronic disease (such as heart or lung disease), do not have a spleen, or have a damaged spleen also need this shot.
• People ages 19 to 64 years who have asthma or who smoke cigarettes need this shot.

This shot is different from the pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) shot that is given to all children. Most adults only need one dose of PPSV for protection. Some people may need a booster shot after 5 years.

Shingles (herpes zoster) (What is a PDF document?)