Quiz Yourself: Adult Immunizations

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. If you are older than 65 and have close contact with a child under 1 year of age, talk with your doctor about the Tdap vaccine, which can also protect you against pertussis. Adults younger than 65 who have never received the Tdap vaccine should receive it at their next 10-year booster dose.

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. People who might come in contact with the polio virus in their work environment -- lab workers or health care workers, for instance -- may also need an additional polio vaccination.

Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs caused by viruses and many kinds of bacteria. The pneumoccal vaccine, or "pneumonia" vaccine, can help protect against one of the most common forms of pneumonia, caused by the pneumococcal bacteria. 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. The influenza, or "flu," vaccine can help protect against pneumonia caused by influenza viruses. But no vaccine can prevent all kinds of pneumonia. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions.

People who should be sure to get a flu shot because they are at higher risk for complications are those with diabetes, or chronic heart, kidney, blood, or lung problems, such as asthma and emphysema; and health care providers.

The best time to get this shot is when it becomes available in your community, before flu season starts.

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.

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. You should not become pregnant for at least a month after getting this vaccine because it could result in harm to the fetus.

But you may also need to be protected by specific vaccines when visiting urban areas. For this reason, see your doctor, or go to a travel clinic or health department at least eight weeks -- earlier if possible -- before any planned travel to developing countries.

Chickenpox can be more serious in adults. Any adult who didn't have chickenpox as a child or didn’t have the vaccinations should talk with a doctor about getting the vaccine. If you are older than age 60, talk with your doctor about the shingles vaccine.