Adults may think vaccinations are kid stuff, but that's not true. In addition to a yearly flu shot, there are other vaccinations for adults to consider, says Family Medicine specialist Joseph Crow, M.D.
"When you're going for your annual physical, I recommend you discuss with your doctor what vaccinations you may need," he says.
Chief among these are flu and pneumonia vaccines, but adults should also talk with their doctor about vaccinations for shingles, tetanus and chicken pox, among others. See the chart below for more information.
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Vaccination - Who Needs It - When
Flu - All adults - Yearly
Pneumonia - Seniors and those with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, COPD, liver disease or kidney disease - Age 65 (for seniors); once by age 50 for anyone with any of these diseases
Shingles - Everyone age 60 and older - Ask at your next doctor visit
Tetanus - All adults - Every 10 years
Chicken pox - Those born before 1980 (who probably weren't vaccinated as children) and those who haven't had chicken pox - Ask at your next doctor visit
Measles, mumps, rubella - Those who haven't had any of these diseases - Ask at your next doctor visit
Hepatitis A - Those with chronic liver disease - Ask at your next doctor visit
Hepatitis B - Health care personnel and those with kidney or liver failure and those with HIV - Ask at your next doctor visit
Meningitis - Anyone whose spleen has been removed - Ask at your next doctor visit
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