[b]]Vaccines for adults: Which do you need?[/[/color]]
Vaccines offer protection from various types of infections and diseases, from seasonal flu to diphtheria. Understand which vaccines adults need and when to get them.

By Mayo Clinic staff
You're not a kid anymore, so you don't have to worry about shots, right? Wrong. Use this guide to find out which vaccines you need now and which vaccines might be coming up — based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Routine recommendations for healthy adults are listed by age. Read on for recommendations for special groups, such as people with chronic illnesses, and to learn more about each vaccine.

Ages 19 to 26

Influenza vaccine once a year
Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine if not previously vaccinated, plus additional dose during pregnancy
Tetanus-diphtheria toxoids (Td) booster every 10 years
Varicella vaccine if not previously vaccinated or not immune
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine if not previously vaccinated
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) if not previously vaccinated or not immune
Meningococcal vaccine for first-year college students living in residence halls if vaccine wasn't given on or after age 16
Ages 27 to 59

Influenza vaccine once a year
Tdap vaccine if not previously vaccinated, plus additional dose during pregnancy
Td booster every 10 years
MMR vaccine if not previously vaccinated or not immune
Ages 60 to 64

Influenza vaccine once a year
Tdap vaccine if not previously vaccinated
Td booster every 10 years
Zoster vaccine
Ages 65 and older

Influenza vaccine once a year
Tdap vaccine if not previously vaccinated
Td booster every 10 years
Zoster vaccine if not previously vaccinated
Pneumococcal vaccine.

G Mohan