Immunizations for adults

General information
Immunizations offer protection from many infectious diseases. Before immunizations were available, many diseases often led to disability or death, and still do in parts of the world where vaccines aren't readily available.
An immunization is a vaccine or toxoid given by injection or mouth. A vaccine contains a dead or weakened disease germ, and a toxoid contains a harmless form of poison made by the germ. In response to an immunization, your body produces antibodies to fight the germ or poison. These antibodies remain in your body, ready to protect you from illness if you're later exposed to the real disease germ or poison.

You can receive immunizations from your doctor or at clinics offered by local health departments and hospitals. Before an immunization, always inform your doctor if you're ill -- whether it's a minor cold or chronic condition, such as a seizure disorder or infection with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Also tell your doctor if you're taking any medications, you have any known allergies, or you've had reactions to previous immunizations. If you have a fever or moderate to severe illness, the immunization may be postponed.


Recommended adult immunizations
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a committee of national experts, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed recommendations for adult immunizations. All adults should consider receiving tetanus and diphtheria immunizations. Certain adults should get vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), hepatitis A and B, chickenpox, influenza (flu), pneumococcal disease and polio. People in certain occupations may benefit from vaccination against rabies. Some immunizations may be given at the same time.

Vaccine shortages
Recently, there have been shortages of some vaccines in the United States. Most shortages are related to a manufacturer stopping production of a particular vaccine, manufacturing problems and insufficient stockpiles. In some cases, vaccine shortages affect the recommended immunization schedule. The most current information about shortages is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).