Quiz Yourself: Adult Immunizations
Find out what you know about getting immunized by taking this quiz.
1. You should get a tetanus and diphtheria booster every 15 years.
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You should get this booster every 10 years. Tetanus and diphtheria are serious diseases caused by bacteria, according to the CDC. The tetanus bacteria enter the body through a cut or wound. Diphtheria can be passed from person to person.
2. Polio vaccines should be kept up-to-date throughout your lifetime.
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If you have had the primary series of the poliovirus vaccine, you are considered to be fully immunized. Check with your health care provider, however, if you are traveling to an area of the world where polio is endemic.
3. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against pneumococcal pneumonia.
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Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs. The CDC recommends that you get this vaccine if you are 65 years or older. If you are younger than 65 and have a chronic health problem like heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, you should also get vaccinated. People with low resistance to infection should also have the vaccine. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions.
4. An annual flu shot should be given to anyone age 50 or older.
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Other people who should get a flu shot are those with diabetes, or chronic heart, kidney, blood or lung problems, such as asthma and emphysema; and health care providers.
5. The best time to get a flu shot is December or January, when flu season starts.
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The best time to get this shot is October or November of each year, before flu season starts.
6. If you live, work, or travel outside the United States, you should get the hepatitis A vaccine.
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Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by a virus. Other people who should get this vaccine are military personnel; food-service workers; men who have sex with men; intravenous drug users; people who work in day-care centers; and people who work or live in institutions or group homes.
7. If you are planning to become pregnant, you may need the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
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Children routinely get this vaccine. A booster is given to women of childbearing age when their immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella is low. A simple blood test can determine your immunity. If your immunity is low, you will need a booster shot at least three months before you become pregnant.
8. You're more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases if you travel to rural destinations in developing countries.
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9. Only children need to have the chickenpox vaccine.
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Chickenpox can be more serious in adults. Any adult who didn't have chickenpox as a child should talk to a doctor about getting the vaccine.
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