Vaccine is simple safe and effective way to protect one against harmful diseases, before encountering them. Women should have annual assessment of infections risks due to health, age occupation, travel, lifestyle and history of previous vaccination. Listed are vaccines recommended for women.

1. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

It is a safe and effective, one can get vaccine before 26 years of age. It recommended both boys and girls 11 or 12 years should take the vaccine. Young adults should take vaccine before their first sexual debut.

Dosing schedule:
(i)   doses for persons starting vaccine before 15 years. The second dose should be 6 to 12 months apart from the first dose.
(ii)  3 doses for teens and young adults who start vaccination after 15 years of age. Doses are 0,1-2 months and 6 months apart.
(iii) 3 doses are recommended for immunocompromised persons aged 9 through 26 years.

2. Influenza vaccine

Adults and children 6 months of age or older should receive the vaccine each winter season.

3. Varicella Vaccine

Women of childbearing age who are not pregnant, and who are not immune to varicella (chickenpox) should be vaccinated against varicella.

4. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

Anyone born after 1956 who has not been vaccinated for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella needs to receive at least 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.

The rubella portion of the MMR vaccine protects against congenital rubella syndrome. Women of childbearing age should receive screening for immunity to rubella.

Women who are not immune, have not been vaccinated, and are not pregnant should receive the MMR vaccination.After receiving the MMR vaccine, women should wait for at least 3 months before becoming pregnant.

Do not get an MMR vaccination if you have ever had a reaction to Neomycin, gelatin, or a previously received dose of MMR vaccine.

5. Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Td/Tdap) Vaccine

Adults under age 65, healthcare providers, and anyone in contact with infants should receive these vaccines, with booster shots every decade.Women of childbearing age should keep their vaccines current. Pregnant women who have not received these vaccines within the last decade might need a vaccination during pregnancy.