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Home > Consumer Focus Archive > Vaccinations: Not Just for Kids
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Consumer Focus: Vaccinations: Not Just for Kids
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Image of a little girl  looking at a man crying with a needle in a thought bubble

Vaccinations: Not Just for Kids

Vaccinations have been developed against more than 20 infectious diseases. Scientists use vaccines to "trick" the human immune system into producing antibodies or immune cells that protect against disease-causing organisms. Thanks to scientists and vaccines, diseases like whooping cough, rubella, typhoid fever, and the plague have been eliminated.

But keeping up with your child’s vaccinations can be confusing. To add to the confusion, medical developments have made changes over time. You should not automatically use the shots you received as a child as the rule for your own children.

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Image of a doctor holding a needle behind himThe Basics

  • Vaccinations are also referred to as immunizations or inoculations.
  • Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Immunization Schedule to see what shots your child needs to get, and when.
  • As you read the Schedule, take note that some shots must be given more than once. For example, the Hepatitis B vaccine is administered at birth, plus two additional times before your child reaches 18 months of age.
  • Some vaccines, like the one for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) are given in combination. Five doses of DTaP vaccine are needed between the ages of 2 months and 4-6 years.
  • Children in high risk regions or states may require additional shots, such as the one for Hepatitis A. Contact your state health department for more information.
  • Failure to keep immunizations up to date could result in your child not being able to attend school. Each state has different vaccination requirements.
  • Your child may feel fussy from pain or fever after getting his or her shots. There are things you can do to reduce the pain. Watch out for unusual reactions, like a high temperature.
  • Be proactive and informed about what shots your child should receive. Ask your child’s doctor or pediatrician questions if you don’t think your child is getting all he or she needs.
  • Keep your own record of what shots your child received and when. You may need this record if you change doctors, or as a back up in case something happens to the doctor’s files.

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Image of a nurse giving a shot to a man

Vaccinations for Adults

  • Some "booster shots," like the one for tetanus and diphtheria, are recommended every ten years.
  • Older people and others are at higher risk for medical complications from influenza and should receive an annual flu shot.
  • Travel to certain foreign countries may require special vaccines, such as the one for yellow fever.
  • Adults who have not had chicken pox should get the varicella or chicken pox vaccine.
  • Additional vaccinations are recommended for adults with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes.

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Image of a news woman reporting about a man being chased by a needle

In the News

  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) recently caused alarm all over the world. At this time, there is no vaccine for SARS. The World Health Organization predicts that it could take over a year to develop one.
  • Because of side effects, the Smallpox vaccine is not recommended for everyone. Right now, it is being administered to certain disaster "first responders," such as health care workers, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical workers.

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Other Resources

This is just a brief overview. For more information on vaccinations, check out these resources:

Read these publications online or order them from FCIC:

Websites*:

* Names of resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory.

*If you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible for the content of these websites.

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