Vaccines for People with Health Conditions

​If you have a long-term health condition — like diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease — it’s very important to get the right vaccines.

Some health conditions can make it harder for you to fight off vaccine-preventable diseases like pneumococcal disease or the flu. They can also make it more likely that you’ll have serious complications from those diseases.

On this page, you'll find answers to common questions about vaccines for people with health conditions.

Which vaccines are recommended for people with health conditions?

Check this easy-to-read vaccine schedule (PDF - 138KB) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to find out which vaccines are right for you — including the ones you may need to avoid.

And talk with your doctor about vaccines you may need if you have any of the following health conditions:

• Asplenia (not having a spleen)
• Diabetes (type 1 and type 2)
• Heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease
• HIV
• Liver disease
• Lung disease, including asthma
• Renal disease (kidney disease)
• Weakened immune system (like from cancer)

Are there any vaccines I should not get?

Some adults with specific health conditions should not get certain vaccines or should wait to get them.