US: Adult Vaccination: New Guidelines

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Adult Vaccination: New Guidelines

New Adult Vaccination Schedule Includes Protection From Shingles

By Miranda Hitti

WebMD Medical News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Oct. 19, 2007 -- The CDC has updated its adult vaccination schedule.

Changes to the adult vaccination schedule include:

Varicella vaccine: This vaccine, which targets the chickenpox virus, is now

recommended for all adults without evidence of immunity to varicella (such

as people who haven't had chickenpox).

Herpes zoster vaccine: Recommended for everyone aged 60 and older. This

vaccine guards against shingles.

HPV vaccine: Recommended for all girls and women aged 11-26. This vaccine

targets four strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause

cervical cancer and genital warts.

Whooping cough vaccine: The tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (whooping cough)

vaccine is recommended for all adults aged 64 or younger whose last

tetanus-diphtheria booster shot was at least 10 years ago.

Of course, those aren't the only vaccines that are recommended for adults.

The full list includes:

Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine: Includes whooping cough.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: Targets four HPV strains that can cause

cervical cancer and genital warts.

Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine: To prevent measles, mumps, and rubella;

vaccination starts in childhood.

Varicella vaccine: Targets chickenpox.

Influenza vaccine: Annual flu vaccination is the single best way to prevent

flu, according to the CDC.

Pneumococcal vaccine: Targets pneumonia and other pneumococcal diseases.

Hepatitis A vaccine: Helps prevent hepatitis A, a serious liver disease.

Hepatitis B vaccine: Targets the hepatitis B virus.

Meningococcal vaccine: Guards against meningitis and other meningococcal

diseases.

Herpes zoster vaccine: Helps prevent shingles and lessens pain from shingles

Talk to your doctor to see which vaccines you need.

The CDC's latest adult vaccination schedule is endorsed by the American

College of Physicians.

The full schedule of recommended vaccinations for adults appears on the CDC

s web site, in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, and in the

ls of Internal Medicine.