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KEY POINTS
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Like children, you need shots to help keep you from getting sick from some illnesses. The shots can help prevent some serious health problems.
Here are some of the shots you may need:
Here's what you should do:
Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis. Get the 3-shot series for these infections if you didn't get the shots when you were a child.
After the 3-shot series, you should:
Some booster shots don’t protect against whooping cough. You should get a one-time booster shot that does. It’s called the Tdap shot. Ask your healthcare provider about this.
The Tdap not only protects you from whooping cough, but it also keeps you from being a carrier and infecting infants.
Flu. Get the flu shot every October.
Pneumococcal disease. Get this shot if:
HPV. Get the 3 shots for this infection if you are between 9 and 26 years old. The shots, for males and females, are given over 6 months and protect against genital warts. The shots protect women against cervical cancer.
Shingles. Get this shot if you are 60 years old or older. It can help prevent a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus.
Ask your healthcare provider if you should get shots for these other infections:
You may need shots for other diseases if you travel to other countries. Your healthcare provider or public health department can tell you what shots you need. Check on which shots you will need 2 or 3 months before your trip because some shots take several weeks to work.
You can get your shots at:
You can also get some shots at the drugstore.
You can call your local health department.
Or you can contact: