8. Get the Immunizations You Need
Everyone needs to be vaccinated, regardless of age.
Immunizations aren't only for children. In fact, in New York City and throughout the U.S., 99% of the deaths that could be prevented by vaccination now occur in adults, not children. All people - infants and children, adolescents, adults, and older people - need regular immunizations to stay healthy.
What to Do
Make sure your children are immunized.
- • Vaccinations protect children against serious childhood diseases, including: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) , H. influenzae (Hib), hepatitis B, chicken pox, and pneumococcal disease.
- • You will need proof of immunization to register your child for day care or school, for the WIC program, and for college and job applications when your child is grown.
- • Make sure your children's immunizations are up-to-date. Keep a record, and bring it every time you go to the doctor or clinic.
- • Whenever your child gets an immunization, a report is sent to the Citywide Immunization Registry. For a free copy of your child's immunization record, call 311.
Protect Yourself, Too
Every year, thousands of New Yorkers are hospitalized for flu and pneumonia. And every year, more than 2,000 die, even though these diseases are largely preventable with shots. Anyone can get the flu, so almost everyone can benefit from a flu shot
People at high risk of complications from the flu should always get a flu shot, including:
- • All people age 50 and older. If you're 65 or older, a flu shot can keep you out of the hospital and save your life.
- • Residents of nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities.
- • Pregnant women.
- • Children and teenagers (2 to 18 years old) on long-term aspirin therapy.
- • All children 6 to 23 months of age. (Babies under 6 months can get the flu, but they are too young for a flu shot.)
- • People with long-term health problems, such as diabetes, lung disease (including asthma), heart or kidney disease, sickle cell anemia, or immune system problems (including people with HIV/AIDS, and those being treated for cancer).
In addition:
- • Everyone 65 and older and people with long-term health problems should get a pneumonia vaccine once for life-long protection.
- • If you've never had chicken pox, you should be vaccinated against it.
- • If you were born after 1956, you should be vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella if you haven't already had these diseases or these shots.
- • If you've had fewer than 3 tetanus shots in your lifetime, you should get the whole series. Everyone should get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.
- • Talk to your doctor to see if you should get the hepatitis B vaccine.
Talk to your doctor for more information. Or call 311 to get a vaccination schedule for your children or for information on where you and your children can get flu shots and other immunizations. Information is also available from the nyc.gov/health/cir.
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