Your kids are probably vaccinated – but what about you?

One of the perks of adulthood is no more shots at your checkups...  

But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of us still need more vaccines to protect our health. That could mean boosters, or in some cases, new vaccines for adults with certain risk factors. If you think vaccines are just for kids, consider this: As many as 45,000 Americans die on average each year from diseases that may have been prevented by vaccinations, according to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Here are five of the top vaccines worth asking your doctor about:

1. The flu vaccine.

2. The pneumococcal vaccine (for pneumonia).

3. Herpes zoster vaccine (for shingles).

4. Tdap vaccine (for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis).

5. HPV vaccine

Don’t assume that your doctor will bring up the topic, many don’t. Dr. Carolyn Bridges, director of adult immunization for the CDCP, says of you’re not sure whether or not you’ve already gotten some of these vaccines, let your doctor know. When it comes to vaccinations, it’s important to be a proactive patient.