Quick Links
Take a vaccine quiz to find out which vaccines you may need.
Get answers to common questions about immunizations.
Learn how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures the safety of all vaccines.
August is National Immunization
Awareness Month
This month is the perfect time to promote immunizations and remind family, friends, and coworkers to get caught up on their shots.
Immunizations (or vaccinations) aren't just for babies and young kids. We all need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone over age six months needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Here are some other shots people need at different ages:
Young children:
- Children under age six get a series of shots to protect against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis.
Preteens:
- All 11- and 12-year-olds need shots to help protect against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and meningitis.
- Doctors recommend girls also get the HPV vaccine to protect against the most common cause of cervical cancer.
Adults:
- All adults need a tetanus shot every 10 years.
- People age 65 need a one-time pneumonia shot.
Talk to your doctor or nurse to find out which immunizations you and your family need.
Take Action
- Take a vaccine quiz to find out which vaccines you may need. http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultImmSched/
- Get answers to common questions about immunizations. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/default.htm
- Download a schedule that lists the age or age range when each vaccine or series of shots is recommended. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm#parents
- Learn how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures the safety of all vaccines. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/default.htm