Childhood vaccinations have received far more media attention in recent years than those recommended for adults.

Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), notes the recent rise in childhood diseases in the U.S. — as a result of some parents opting out of vaccines for their kids, despite the consensus of scientific studies showing they are safe, effective, and necessary — has dominated public health officials’ attention.

"Some people don't believe that illnesses like measles and pertussis (whooping cough) are still out there," he says, adding that anti-vaccination parents should be focusing on the very significant risks of a disease but instead worry about the highly uncommon dangers of vaccines.

But should adults get vaccinated?

“Yes,” insists Dr C. Raina MacIntyre, an epidemiologist who is professor of infectious diseases epidemiology at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

“It’s important to be vaccinated against preventable infections if you are in a risk group and recommended for vaccination, because vaccinations can avert serious illness and even death.”

What’s more, she adds, the most recent influenza season was “particularly severe and caused serious outbreaks in aged-care facilities and other settings.”

MacIntyre believes “much more should be done to prevent infections in adults.”

She adds that patients should know booster shots are needed for some vaccines so they remain effective. Some last a lifetime, others do not.

“Measles vaccine protects for a long duration, whereas immunity wanes for pertussis,” MacIntyre notes.

Here’s a checklist of some vaccines she recommends, after consulting with your doctor about what you need:

Measles, mumps and rubella: These are combined in one shot, and may sometimes including chicken pox vaccine. Alternatively, a vaccine protecting against chicken pox can be injected separately.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis: These vaccines are important, even though diphtheria is rare in North America. Tetanus is also rare, but vaccination can be important, particularly for older adults. “Anyone unsure of their tetanus vaccination status who sustains a tetanus-prone wound should get vaccinated,” MacIntyre advises.

Pneumococcal diseases: Vaccines to prevent these life-threatening infections are recommended for Americans over 65 and anyone with risk factors such as chronic lung disease. Pneumonia is the most common pneumococcal disease. Some people also have separate anti-meningitis vaccines to be additionally protected.

Flu vaccine: This changes yearly, depending on viruses considered greatest risks. MacIntyre considers anti-influenza vaccines as “quite effective,” even though they do not offer 100 percent protection from the flu, which kills tens of thousands of Americans every year, according to the CDC.

Shingles: CDC officials recommend all Americans over 60 receive this vaccine. It doesn’t guarantee you won’t get shingles but lowers risk and seriousness greatly. The disease is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is also responsible for chicken pox, and produces a rash that develops into very painful blisters.

MacIntyre notes that seniors, in particular, “are advised to receive influenza, pneumococcal and shingles vaccines.” Why? “Influenza and pneumonia are major preventable causes of illness and death in older people,” she notes, adding: “‘flu causes deaths in children and the elderly during severe seasons.”

Smallpox vaccinations are generally no longer available, since the disease exists globally only in a few research laboratories. Vaccines against yellow fever and cholera can be skipped except by travellers going to places where these diseases exist, experts say.