Introduction

If your immune system is impaired (immunocompromised), it's especially important that you get the proper vaccines to protect you from contracting serious illnesses. But some vaccines can be detrimental to your health if you're immunocompromised. Click on the tabs to the left to find out which vaccines are safe for you to receive. Note: If you're immunocompromised, be sure to check with your doctor before getting any vaccine.

Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis

Recommended for all immunocompromised adults.

After an initial five-shot series of the vaccine usually given during infancy and early childhood, a booster dose of tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended every 10 years. A new vaccine for adults that includes pertussis in addition to tetanus and diphtheria became available in 2005. This vaccine (Tdap) is recommended for people who have not had a tetanus booster in 10 years, and for certain other groups (such as health care workers and those who have contact with infants) at shorter intervals.

Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)

Not recommended for immunocompromised adults.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine isn't routinely recommended if you're severely immunocompromised. Such cases might include HIV infection, leukemia or lymphoma or if you're receiving radiation or corticosteroid therapy.

If your doctor recommends the vaccine, you'll need at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, and preferably two doses, given at least four weeks apart, for the best protection.

Chickenpox (varicella)

Not routinely recommended for immunocompromised adults.

Even though the chicken pox (varicella) vaccine isn't recommended if you're immunocompromised, there is a way that it can protect you. And that's by having people who come into close contact with you — such as family members living in the same household — get vaccinated if they've never had chickenpox. People who have had the disease develop a natural immunity. Either way, through vaccination or natural immunity, your close contacts can make it less likely that they'll spread this potentially life-threatening disease to you.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for adults with kidney (renal) failure.

If you have renal failure, your need for blood and blood products puts you at higher risk of hepatits B infection. You may need a hepatitis B vaccination if your renal disease is expected to lead to dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Other immunocompromised adults don't need to be vaccinated unless they're at risk of infection, such as coming into contact with blood and other body fluids of an infected person.

Three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are given over a six-month period. You may need to have your hepatitis B antibody levels checked periodically and receive additional booster doses if your immunity to the disease begins to decrease.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for adults with chronic liver disease or with blood-clotting disorders.

Hepatitis A can spread easily through person-to-person contact. If your doctor recommends that you receive the hepatitis A vaccine, you'll need two doses of the vaccine given at least six months apart for optimal protection.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Recommended for adults who did not receive the vaccine during infancy and who:

• Are taking medicine to suppress their immune system after an organ transplant
• Don't have a functioning spleen
• Have sickle cell disease

The Hib vaccine is also recommended for other immunocompromised adults who may be at high risk of the disease. Your doctor takes into account your individual risk of infection and the effectiveness of the vaccine before making a recommendation.

One dose of Hib vaccine usually provides sufficient protection in adults, although a series of four doses is routinely recommended for children less than 5 years old.

Pneumococcal

Recommended for all immunocompromised adults.

The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended if your medical condition places you at higher risk of getting a pneumococcal disease, such as pneumococcal bacteremia or meningitis.

You need one dose of the pneumococcal vaccine and a follow-up dose about five years later.

Meningococcal

Recommended for adults without a functioning spleen or who have an immune system disorder that increases the risk of meningococcal meningitis.

You receive one dose of the meningococcal vaccine. You might need a follow-up dose three to five years later if you continue to be at high risk of meningococcal disease.

Influenza

Recommended for all immunocompromised adults.

You need one dose of influenza vaccine every year. Your doctor may recommend that you receive a shot, rather than the nasal spray, because the shot doesn't contain any live viruses. Your household members may receive either type of vaccine — at no risk to your health — as long as you're not in protective isolation.