Why are some vaccines particularly important for adults?
Adults of any age can benefit from vaccines. However, certain diseases, such as the flu and shingles, can be particularly serious for adults older than 65.
How can I keep track of my vaccines?
To gather information about your vaccination status, talk to your parents or other caregivers. Check with your doctor's office, as well as any previous doctors' offices, schools and employers. Some states also have registries that include adult immunizations. To check, contact your state health department.
If you can't find your records, talk to your doctor. He or she might be able to do blood tests to see if you are immune to certain diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. You also might need to get some vaccines again.
To stay on top of your vaccines, ask your doctor for an immunization record form. Bring the form with you to all of your doctor visits and ask your provider to sign and date the form for each vaccine you receive.
Apr. 13, 2014
See more In-depth
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 years and Adults Aged 19 Years and Older — United States, 2013. MMWR. 2013;62:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm62e0128.pdf. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.
- Vaccines and preventable diseases: Who should not get vaccinated with these vaccines? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/should-not-vacc.htm. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.
- Vaccine-preventable adult diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/adult-vpd.htm. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.
- Adult vaccination records. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/vaccination-records.html. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.