The best way to reduce the risk of infections is to prevent them by keeping your immunizations up to date and washing or sanitizing your hands often throughout the day.
If you are unsure what immunizations you should get, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider.
If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant:
- Discuss with your Health Care Provider about having a blood test (titer test) to check for your immunity to Rubella (German Measles), Varicella (Chickenpox), Fifth Disease, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Hepatitis B.
- It is recommended that you get a flu shot annually and a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine with every pregnancy.
| Vaccine | When to get it |
|---|---|
| Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (whooping cough) | Every 10 years, you need one adult dose of pertussis-containing vaccine in your lifetime (extra dose recommended for each pregnancy) |
|
Influenza |
Every year |
| Pneumococcal Polysaccharide |
At 65 years or older (19-64 years old if you have specific medical conditions) |
| Pneumococcal Conjugate | At 50 years or older |
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) |
|
| Varicella (Chickenpox) |
If you never had the disease or the vaccine |
| Meningococcal | If you have a specific medical condition, or are laboratory or military personnel |
| Hepatitis A |
If you have specific medical, occupation, or lifestyle risks, and if you want to be protected |
| Hepatitis B | If you have specific medical, occupation, or lifestyle risks, and if you want to be protected |
| Human Papillomavirus (HPV) |
|
| Herpes Zoster (Shingles) | Herpes Zoster (Shingles) |
