People of all ages should stay current on their vaccinations. The World Health Organization indexes vaccine recommendations for countries around the world. Specific information about U.S. standard and travel vaccines, as well as precautions and contraindications to vaccination, are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. vaccination schedule is established by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Physicians.
Tetanus
Tetanus (lockjaw) is a serious disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth of swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 in 10 cases. Several vaccines are used to prevent tetanus.
Rubella
Rubella vaccination is particularly important for non-immune women who may become pregnant because of the risk for serious birth defects if they acquire the disease during pregnancy.
Neisseria meningitidis
Meningococcal vaccines protect against most types of meningococcal disease, although they do not prevent all cases. There are two vaccines against Veisseria meningitidis available in the United States.