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CDC Reminding Adults to Get Vaccinated Regularly

(NBC/WRCB) - Health officials say many parents make sure their children's shots are up to date but often forget about themselves.

"Once we cross the threshold of the 19th birthday and become adults, then the problems really arise," said Dr. William Schaffner, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

A new CDC survey finds less than half of adults say they're familiar with shingles, which is an extremely painful rash; Hepatitis B, which can cause liver disease; meningitis or pertussus, also known as  'whooping cough.'

Adults are supposed to get vaccinated against all those, plus flu and pneumococcal disease, especially if you're not healthy.

"Younger people with underlying conditions like asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions have had a harder time with the H1N1 influenza," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, assistant surgeon general. "Those same people are recommended to get the pneumococcal vaccine."

Seniors over 65 can get the pneumococcal and flu vaccines free through Medicare, but only two out of three do. Rates are even lower for younger adults, often because of cost.

The shingles vaccine can cost several hundred dollars.

"If there are substantial out-of-pocket costs for a preventive service against something that may happen to you in the future, most folks who have tight budgets may think twice and even three times before they put out that money," said Schaffner.

An HPV vaccine is recommended for young women. HPV causes 70 percent of cervical cancers.

"Each of us would seek out a cancer vaccine if it was available, and you see it is," said Dr. Robert Hopkins, American College of Physicians.

With concerns about swine flu just around the corner, health officials are urging adults to make sure all your other shots are up to date.

Click here to see the CDC's Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule.