Screening Tests and Immunizations Guidelines for Women (Part 4 of 4)

These charts are guidelines only. Your doctor or nurse will personalize the timing of each test and immunization to meet your health care needs. Check with your insurance plan to find out which tests are covered.

Screening tests	Ages 18–39	Ages 40–49	Ages 50–64	Ages 65 and older
Skin health: Mole exam	Monthly mole self- exam; by a doctor or nurse as part of a routine full checkup starting at age 20.	Monthly mole self-exam; by a doctor or nurse as part of a routine full checkup.	Monthly mole self-exam; by a doctor or nurse as part of a routine full checkup.	Monthly mole self-exam; by a doctor or nurse as part of a routine full checkup.
Oral health: Dental exam	Routinely; discuss with your dentist.	Routinely; discuss with your dentist.	Routinely; discuss with your dentist.	Routinely; discuss with your dentist.
Immunizations: Seasonal influenza vaccine	Yearly	Yearly	Yearly	Yearly
Pneumococcal vaccine				One time only
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster vaccine	Every 10 years	Every 10 years	Every 10 years	Every 10 years
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine	Up to age 26, if not already completed vaccine series; discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Meningococcal vaccine	Discuss with your doctor or nurse if you are a college student or military recruit.
Herpes zoster vaccine (to prevent shingles)			Starting at age 60, one time only. Ask your doctor or nurse if it is okay for you to get it.	Starting at age 60, one time only. Ask your doctor or nurse if it is okay for you to get it.

Additional Resources:

Publications

Fact Sheet — Oral Health — This publication provides information on oral health, issues specific to women’s oral health, and how your oral health affects your overall health. It also discusses what oral health needs women have during pregnancy and after the baby is born.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/oral-health.cfm

Basic Information About Skin Cancer — This fact sheet briefly describes the major types of skin cancer and who is at risk.

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/

Vaccines & Immunizations — This website provides information about scheduled screenings and guidelines, answers to frequently asked questions, and publications on the latest research.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Vaccines and Immunizations for College Students and Young Adults — This publication provides information on the different types of vaccinations recommended for college students and young adults, including the meningitis/meningococcal vaccine and the influenza vaccine.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/college.htm

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last reviewed: November 16, 2009.

Preventive Health